INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF FREE TRADE UNIONS (ICFTU)
Brussels, December 4 1997 (ICFTU OnLine): Revelations about the use of Australian serving and ex-military personnel in a secret operation to break Australia's Maritime Union (MUA) have prompted a strong reaction by the Brussels-based International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), the world's trade union body.
According to information, confirmed in Melbourne by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), 18 serving military personnel from Australia are part of a secret force of around 60 military and ex-military personnel who have been transported to Dubai for clandestine training in port operations as preparation for government-sponsored action to end union involvement in Australia's ports.
The secret force which has been arriving in Dubai in small groups is expected to serve as instructors for a larger force to be trained at a secret location in Australia next year. The force includes persons with experience in the special services who would act as enforcers to suppress union organisation and ensure discipline in the group.
"It is simply incredible that the government of a democratic country should use dictatorship tactics to satisfy their blind hatred of unions", said Bill Jordan, ICFTU General Secretary, adding that "despite their initial denials, the Australian government's fingerprints are all over this dirty operation. There is clear evidence that high-level government officials are involved, and that the Australian Army, which has a proud reputation in defending democracy around the world, is being dragged into this unsavoury affair".
The ICFTU which plans a massive campaign in support of its affiliate, the ACTU, in coordination with the powerful International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), is contacting its affiliates around the world to organise protest action.
"We are checking reports of the involvement of international companies in the exercise, to ensure that they cannot profit from this stupid and dangerous action on the part of the Australian Government and certain big business interests", said Bill Jordan. "Australia's reputation as a civilised democracy is threatened by this, and unless the government pull back immediately and guarantee that port workers will continue to be allowed to be represented by their union, the international trade union movement will give every possible support to our Australian colleagues".
Contact: ICFTU-Press at: ++32-2 224.02.12 (Brussels)
