MP-33: Solidarity with Dave Kerin and Union Solidarity
The International Solidarity Commission of the Industrial Workers of
the World, an international independent labor union with members in
Australia, strongly condemns the Australian government's persecution
of Dave Kerin, coordinator of the labor coalition Union Solidarity.
The Australian Workplace Ombudsman has issued Kerin with a "notice to produce documents" in relation to a recent strike at Boeing. If he
refuses to give the government information that they intend to use
against Union Solidarity and other rank and file union members by May
8th, he faces as much as six months in prison. According to a
statement published by Union Solidarity, Kerin and the organization
"will not comply with laws and government agencies whose sole purpose is to prevent workers having the ability to strike and organize".
We thank Dave Kerin and Union Solidarity for taking this important
stand in defense of workers rights. We call upon the Workplace
Ombudsman to immediately withdraw its demands and cease and desist its campaign to destroy Australia's rank-and-file labor movement. We also wish to remind Australia's elected officials that it is in their
interest to see to it that these legal proceedings are halted at once.
In the last national election, the Australian people voted
overwhelming to get reject anti-union laws. We stand firmly in
solidarity with Kerin and any other labor organizers facing
prosecution for resisting anti-union laws that violate the inherent
human rights of workers.
In solidarity,
The International Solidarity Commission of the Industrial Workers of the World
