[asia-apec 1381] Australian police attack workers

[AAWL]

On 18 and 19 January Western Australian police baton charged workers on
picket lines.

One union official was hospitalised after being run over by a vehicle that
ran through the picket line.
Many workers were injured by the baton charges, some needed hospital
treatment.
Some workers and union officials have been arrested.

The workers are picketing BHP mining, processing and shipping in Newman and
Port Hedland in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Mining company BHP, supported by the Australian government, is attempting to
force union workers to sign individual contracts.

This is yet another attempt to destroy the collective strength of union
workers.

Recent attempts to eliminate union contracts in Australia have included the
attack against the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) in 1998, the dispute
against the Textile Clothing Footwear Union of Australia (TCFUA) at ADC in
Collingwood Melbourne in January 1999, and the nine month lockout against
the Australasian Met Industries Employees Union (AMIEU) workers in Pakenham
Melbourne during 1999.

Australian workers and unions continue to fight back against these attacks.
Police violence against workers who are defending their living conditions by
taking industrial action must be stopped.

Support the workers' union action against BHP.

Please send messages of solidarity to:

Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, Western Australia; Fax: 08 9481 3303
Australian Workers Union, Western Australia; Fax: 08 9377 2209
Trade and Labour Council of Western Australia; Email: unionsyes at tlcwa.org.au
Australian Council of Trade Unions; Email: media at actu.asn.au

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