Messages of solidarity with CFMEU Victoria officials John Setka and Shaun Reardon have been flooding in from Australian and Internaitonal Unions.

A strong presence from across the union movement at the Melbourne Magistrates Court rally was very welcome. Below are some international messages of solidarity.

Trades Union International of Workers in the Building, Wood, Building Materials and Allied Industries – UITBB

Message of Solidarity for CFMEU’s officials John Sekta and Shaun Reardon

On behalf of UITBB, we condemn the criminal charges for blackmail brought against CFMEU officials John Sekta and Shaun Reardon for doing nothing more than fighting for better conditions for the workers.

Comrades John Sekta and Shaun Reardon, from Melbourne, Australia, have been charged with blackmail regarding the Union’s dispute with concrete company Boral.

The fact that these officials were arrested in front of their families on a Sunday morning, was obviously meant to inflict political damage to the Union.

We are certain that the CFMEU will stand up in defense of their comrades and that collective action to defeat this unacceptable attack on trade union rights will further strengthen the militant spirit of the CFMEU in its daily struggle to defend the interests of the workers in Australia.

We call upon the Australian federal government to stop promoting such unacceptable policies against the workers by using the Royal Commission, which has produced nothing but fiascoes so far.

UITBB will stand next to CFMEU in whatever it takes and, in doing so, we have already asked from our affiliated unions around the world to send solidarity messages to Australia. We are also ready, if needed, to stage protests outside the Australian Embassies and Consulates globally, in order to demonstrate against the politicization of such matters.

12 December 2015

All Pakistan Federation of United Trade Unions (APFUTU)

Message of Solidarity for CFMEU’s officials John Sekta and Shaun Reardon

On behalf of APFUTU, we condemn the criminal charges for blackmail brought against CFMEU officials John Sekta and Shaun Reardon for doing nothing more than fighting for better conditions for the workers.

Comrades John Sekta and Shaun Reardon, from Melbourne, Australia, have been charged with blackmail regarding the Union’s dispute with concrete company Boral.

The fact that these officials were arrested in front of their families on a Sunday morning, was obviously meant to inflict political damage to the Union.

We are certain that the CFMEU will stand up in defense of their comrades and that collective action to defeat this unacceptable attack on trade union rights will further strengthen the militant spirit of the CFMEU in its daily struggle to defend the interests of the workers in Australia.

We call upon the Australian federal government to stop promoting such unacceptable policies against the workers by using the Royal Commission, which has produced nothing but fiascoes so far.

APFUTU will stand next to CFMEU in whatever it takes and, in doing so, we have already asked from our affiliated unions around the world to send solidarity messages to Australia. We are also ready, if needed, to stage protests outside the Australian Embassies and Consulates globally, in order to demonstrate against the politicization of such matters.