Friday, October 30, 2009

Tribe follows Ark to the steps of courthouse


Around one thousand supporters of Ark Tribe chanted "one law for all" as the Adelaide construction worker entered court for the third time since August. This time the case was heard in the Adelaide Magistrates Court which meant workers were able to come off various jobs to support Ark in his fight for justice.

SA CFMEU Construction & General Secretary Martin O'Malley introduced a number of speakers including historian Humphrey McQueen who had travelled from Canberra to address Ark's supporters. McQueen openend and closed his speech, which drew loud applause from all in attendance, with this quote from Samuel Champ, BLF organiser from Hobart in 1916:

"Our liberties had not been won by mining magnates or stock-exchange jobbers, but by genuine men of the working-class movement who had died on the gallows and rotted in dungeons and were buried in nameless graves. These were the men to whom we owed the liberties we enjoyed today."

CFMEU Federal Secretary, Construction & General, Dave Noonan followed Humphrey McQueen, telling the crowd that the union's highest decision making body - its Federal Executive - had recently determined that industrial action would be taken on building sites acrorss the nation should Ark or any other construction worker be jailed under the powers of the ABCC.

Revved up by the union's strong commitment to stand behind its members, the large crowd stood tall behind Ark Tribe who led them toward the Magistrates Court where he entered to await his fate.

With Ark Tribe inside the courtroom, men and women from trade unions, progressive political parties, community organisations and the like chanted "One Law for All" while they waited for Ark to emerge. Less than 15 minutes later, Ark appeared with legal counsel Stephen Dolphin and it was announced that for a third time, the case would be adjourned - this time until 18 December.

Audio of Humphrey McQueens speech, along with video footage and interviews from the rally, will be available in full on this blog soon. Stay tuned!

STAND TALL for Ark Tribe today!

Ark Tribe faces his third court hearing today in Adelaide. Supporters will gather outside the court at 11am where speakers, including eminent historian Humphrey McQueen, will address the crowd.

Supporters of Ark - "Ark's Tribe", call on Julia Gillard and the Rudd Government to abolish the ABCC and let the rigger Ark Tribe go free! The ABCC is an undemocratic anti-worker body and has no place in Australian society - or any society for that matter.

Down with the ABCC - let the Ark Tribe go free!

See you there at 11am as we chant One Law for All!!


Rally details around the country:

SA: 11am Outside the court at the Southern End of Victoria Square, Adelaide
NSW: 11am Sydney Trades Hall, 377 Sussex Street Sydney
QLD: TBC Outside Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's Office, 630 Wynnum Road, Morningside
TAS: 9.30am Outside the offices of the Australian Building and Construction Commission, 142 Elizabeth Street, Hobart
VIC: 9.30am Outside the offices of the Australian Building and Construction Commission, 533 St Kilda Road Melbourne

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Heroic South Australian construction worker Ark Tribe faces his third court hearing on October 30. He is charged with allegedly failing to attend a compulsory interrogation by the ABCC in 2008. The penalty, if he is found guilty, is 6 month’s gaol.


Not bad for a bloke who attended a meeting about safety on his job! This piece in the Vanguard speaks volumes!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Rallies to be held around the country

On Friday 30 October, the rigger Ark Tribe will face the Adelaide Magistrates Court to answer charges brought against him by the Australian Building & Construction Commission (ABCC). The laws prosecuted by this mob are undemocratic and pose a serious threat to our civil rights. They must be challenged and stopped.

Ark Tribe has been unfairly charged and he needs your support. Rallies are being held in almost every state, so please do whatever you can to attend...and bring your friends!

Details:

SA: 11am Outside the court at the Southern End of Victoria Square, Adelaide
NSW: 11am Sydney Trades Hall, 377 Sussex Street Sydney
QLD: TBC Outside Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's Office, 630 Wynnum Road, Morningside
TAS: 9.30am Outside the offices of the Australian Building and Construction Commission, 142 Elizabeth Street, Hobart
VIC: 9.30am Outside the offices of the Australian Building and Construction Commission, 533 St Kilda Road Melbourne

Stand up for workers' rights.

Support the rigger Ark Tribe!!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Stand Tall with Ark Tribe on October 30

The case against Ark Tribe moves to the Adelaide Magistrates court where charges laid against the CFMEU member by the Australian Building & Construction Commission (ABCC) will be heard on October 30.

Supporters of Ark Tribe are asked to rally in Victoria Square (law courts end) at 11am. Bring your friends and co-workers. It's time for all workers to stand united against the Federal Government's undemocratic "tough cop on the beat". Don't Jail Ark Tribe!! Down with the ABCC!!

ACTION for ARK:

Download the file "Ark Tribe Poster" in downloads box to the right, print off a bunch and stick em' up around the place. Do your bit to help Ark Tribe beat the ABCC!

Ark Tribe Song

Go to the box widget on the right where can download the Ark Tribe song to play at your rally or event in solidarity with Ark on the 30th of October.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Urge the independent senators to take a stand

The Senate will soon vote on the Bill to replace the ABCC with a new Building Industry Inspectorate.

A Senate majority report recommended that the Bill is passed, with some amendments. The coercive powers in the construction industry could stay, and a construction worker like Ark Tribe could still face jail for standing up for his rights on site.

Our Independent Senators could change that, but they are coming under heavy pressure from big business and property developers to keep the coercive powers in the construction industry.

Over ten thousand Rights on Site supporters have reminded politicians and big business that there should be one set of laws for all Australian workers.

The laws the senate passes will determine whether our politicians support one law for all Australian workers, and could bring an end to construction workers like Ark Tribe being singled out for harsher penalties in their workplace.

Now we need you to ask Senator Fielding and Senator Xenophon to take a stand for rights on site before they vote on the new laws.

Go to Rights on Site to send a letter to Senators Fielding and Xenophon.

**Update**

Senator Fielding today said he would rule out supporting the bill to replace the ABCC. Your message to him needs to be strong and clear – he needs to know that Australian workers won't stand for undemocratic and coercive powers in the workplace!