Trade unions in every country of the world are under attack.

Big business, supported by conservative governments, are attacking trade unions. Their aim is to lower the living standards of working people and attack people’s rights. To achieve this goal multi-national companies need to destroy trade unions. If trade unions are destroyed the broader movement for peace and social justice will also suffer setbacks.

The Howard Government in Australia has initiated an unprecedented attack on the trade union movement and workers rights. In particular, they are seeking to destroy strong trade unions such as the Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union. Australia under the Howard Government, will have some of the worst labour laws in the world.

Individual trade unions will not survive in Australia or internationally unless the movement survives. The labour movement must act collectively and respond in a more united and cohesive fashion in future years.

A number of trade unionists and supporters of workers rights have established a ‘Committee to Defend Trade Union Rights’. The principle objective of this Committee is to defend trade union rights. In particular, the Committee is committed to defending the unions who have been subject to extreme legislative attacks and federal government policies designed to weaken trade union rights as in the case with the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) and the CFMEU.

Rank and file workers unfairly sacked and/or fighting for their rights will be supported by the Committee. Also, the Committee will be supporting the broader movement for peace, social justice and workers rights.

The Committee to Defend Trade Union Rights has established a Trust administered by experienced and committed supporters of international solidarity and trade unionism. Included on the Trust are former leaders of the building unions and office bearers of the ACTU, the judiciary and progressive members of the State and Federal Parliamentary ALP.

Supporters of trade unions are encouraged to support and donate to the Committee to Defend Trade Union Rights. Cheques should be made payable to the Defend Trade Union Rights Trust.