Construction workers clash with police on Melbourne picket line

Police have clashed with striking construction workers in Melbourne. The strikers have been blockading entrances to a $250 million construction project for the last week.

Submitted by working class … on August 28, 2012

Violence erupted early yesterday morning, after mounted police tried to disperse around 400 picketing workers in order to ensure that scabs were able to get on site.

The picket was larger than usual, as they were joined by workers from other sites and sectors across Melbourne.

The workers are fighting for the right to have named shop stewards on site, and to stop the practice of the company bringing in cheap labour that undercuts industry standards.

A spokesman for the bosses said that:

“The strike is illegal, and those on the picket line are waging a campaign of intimidation against other company employees”.

Several union leaders have been banned from entering the construction site due to an injunction from the Supreme Court. The company also has banned employees from displaying union stickers or badges.

Solidarity with the Melbourne construction workers.

Click here to see a brief film clip

Comments

Steven.

12 years 3 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Steven. on August 28, 2012

Good article, thanks for writing it up.

A short sub editing note, the "violence" tag is for theoretical articles about political violence. For news articles about violent events we use the "repression" tag or "riots" tag as appropriate for future reference!

baldurmen

12 years 3 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by baldurmen on August 29, 2012

More infos here, the most interesting part begin the abundant quotes:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/jundreds-of-construction-workers-in-grocon-city-protest/story-fnd2zcc1-1226459864290

jack miller

12 years 3 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jack miller on August 29, 2012

Congratulations to the workers for standing up to violent police - and corporate - repression. This is an inspiration to all people who are subjected to systematic abuse. The violent assault by the police on innocent workers who were trying to exercise their right of peaceful assembly ought to be condemned. If it were young students who were less organised and less physically strong the police would have not retreated. This just shows how gutless police are when they realise that their intended victims can fight back.