VANGUARD - Expressing the viewpoint of the Communist Party of Australia (Marxist-Leninist)
For National Independence and Socialism • www.cpaml.org
As attacks on the CFMEU continue, NSW construction workers and allies including electrical, plumbing and maritime workers will march on May 1, International Workers Day.
Since 2019, when outrage about 18-year-old worker Christopher Cassaniti’s death under collapsed scaffolding saw tens of thousands walk out, the CFMEU and allied unions have struck and marched on May Day in Sydney.
This year it comes two years after CFMEU strikes and bans forced the outlawing of deadly engineered stone, and just four weeks after 13 workers were sentenced to early deaths with silicosis after Chinese-owned John Hollands and NSW governments delayed measures to protect M6 and other tunnel workers.
For 50 years the ruling class tried to destroy the CFMEU and Builders Labourers Federation before it. Working-class militancy always resurfaced. Finally, in 2024 both Labor and Coalition joined forces to legislate the construction union’s complete takeover in four states.
Three lessons
In any battle, understanding the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses, and our own, are essential. There’s no room for big noting. Facts are the key. Unions are part of the capitalist system, chained to it from birth by hundreds of laws. No matter how militant, unions can’t overthrow the system they operate in. They’re part of that system because unions by their nature seek only to win the best they can within it.
Everyone makes errors. The CFMEU nationally now understands relying on the ALP was disastrous. The ALP is not a working-class party, never has been. It’s been an essential ingredient to successful capitalist rule by deception since it was formed under capitalist laws in 1901.
The second lesson was the need to raise political awareness so workers understood themselves as part of the working class. Extraordinarily good wages and allowances blinded many construction workers to the possibility of takeover by governments for giant mainly US-controlled developers and building corporations.
Finally, the union realised too late how the enemy of the working class would behave when the boom began to bust. For corporations pocketing boom-time super profits, industrial peace was worth paying for. Lendlease even took the ABCC to court! The union’s last two decades showed briefly shutting jobs and slamming on bans won high wages and good conditions relatively easily. Like many construction workers, the union now realises it couldn’t last. Booms bust.
Construction is often the first industry hit.
Sugar coated bullets and getting fired
When Robe River mineworkers fought individual contracts in the 1980s, to divide and conquer them the company paid those who signed contracts higher wages than it paid unionists. Of course it didn’t last! Once the union was weakened, the boss slashed individual contract rates.
Late last year, when anger was dangerously high on sites, under pressure Administrators signed hundreds of Enterprise Bargaining Agreements won by CFMEU workers. It was sugar-coated poison. Cementing in high wages and allowances in the short term fooled some workers who reckon the administrators are “doing a good job.” But, a government-approved union will sell them out from here to eternity.
Last December, when NSW delegates called a strike, the Administrators cancelled it by text late the afternoon before. Administrators informed the companies “their” CFMEU would not support sacked workers. Lendlease and other corporations threatened workers with the sack. The strike and rally went ahead, but fewer attended, fewer went on strike.
Then Administrators fired a leading organiser on Christmas leave by email for refusing to attend an immediate interview without legal representation. It deliberately instilled fear, “We’ve removed one of your leaders. Who’s next?”
If not now, when?
Marching on May 1 focusses attention and forges unity with workers nationally and around the world. It builds collective strength and spirit. This year construction worker leaders have analysed the changed situation and have chosen different tactics. Construction workers will march this May Day, but they will take rostered days off won in their agreements.
The surprise attack on the CFMEU is a warning to all workers.
Under this capitalist system, it doesn’t matter how many battles you win, unless you prepare for and defeat the entire system, workers end up with our backs against the wall. Times are quickly getting tougher. The system is heading for chaos. It’s our time! We urgently need to learn, to listen and to organise within unions and, more importantly, beyond them.
If not now, when?