Red Report Back - Week Ending 03/07/2022

Post-Raid Blockade

Blockade Australia began its week of action in Sydney from the 27th of June. The week of action follows two raids by New South Wales Police Force on Blockade Australia’s camp at Colo, west of Sydney.  

The controversial activist group began the week of action with a diversionary march of protestors through the CBD, leading police on a wild goose chase. Meanwhile, a member of the group blocked the northern entrance of the Harbour Tunnel with their car, bringing traffic to a standstill.

The group has actions planned throughout the week, which we will reflect on in next week’s issue. Something to keep in mind is that, whatever you may think of the group’s tactics, the response to their actions is a watershed moment for any political Australians. The capitalist state is unleashing a heavy-handed response on any dissenters that threaten the property interests of the rich, or the propaganda narratives that protect exploitation in this country. We stand for the democratic right to protest, and condemn the growing fascism in Australia. 

Strike Week for Sydney

On a brighter note, the forces of organised labour are fighting back for workers in Sydney. The Rail Tram and Bus Union have escalated industrial action through to Friday and the following week over the government’s refusal to negotiate with workers in good faith. The RTBU and its members will be implementing actions building up from a go slow of all trains, right through to a refusal to operate foreign-built trains later in the week, over safety concerns the state won’t address. 

Similarly, nurses will walk off the job on Tuesday in protest over the inadequate response of the government to their concerns in the new budget. In their third strike of the year, members from over 80 hospitals will walk off the job after the government refused to address vastly inadequate pay and unsafe staff-to-patient ratios.  

Finally, teachers in both public sand Catholic schools are set to take united strike action in a landmark move for the union movement. Teachers will be stopping work for 24 hours and be holding protests across the state over unsafe teaching conditions and low wages. 

Of course, the government took the opportunity to warn that unions participating in "illegal" strike action would face increased fines of up to $55,000 on the first day and $27,500 for each day after. 

This shows how uninterested the government is in addressing the needs of the working class. They refuse to listen to our demands and have repeatedly resorted to thuggish brutality to stifle any expressions of dissent. What these disputes have all demonstrated is the need for socialising the means of production, so that the focus shifts from profit to meeting the needs of workers. Solidarity with all striking workers. One day longer, one day stronger.  

CUDL Action

On Saturday the 25th of June, members and supporters of Community Union Defence League (CUDL) and the Australian Communist Party took to the streets to stand up against police harassment. CUDL held a protest in response to a targeted campaign against homelessness service providers in Martin Place that has seen groups being fined and harassed for their outreach work.

Despite recent concessions from the NSW Premier and the state government to some of the Martin Place mobile service providers following media attention and public outcry over their shameful behaviour, several groups are still being targeted. CUDL, along with a few other service providers, have been excluded from the offer of having their fines waived and penalties reversed.

This double standard, which the State Government and Council are yet to comment on, highlights the petty political manoeuvring of bureaucrats in modern day Australia. These careerists care only about their image and position, prioritising themselves to the neglect of the community and their needs.  

CUDL refused to stay silent on these targeted attacks and held a speak out in front of Surry Hills Police Station and at the major intersection of Taylor Square to talk to the public about this campaign of harassment. Many fruitful conversations were had with both local workers and members of the homeless community, with supporters coming down in a show of solidarity. Let it be known to all who try and attack the working class – we don’t just serve the people. We defend the people.