Strong support for Ark Tribe

Hundreds of workers and other supporters formed a guard of honour as Ark Tribe entered the Elizabeth Magistrates Court this morning. They had gathered to express their solidarity with the rank and file building worker who has been charged by the Australian Building and Construction Commission with failing to attend an interrogation about a union meeting about safety at the Flinders University Health Sciences building. He faces six months jail and fines of up to $22,000 if convicted. The matter has been adjourned until August 11.

CFMEU Construction and General SA Secretary Martin O’Malley, CFMEU National Assistant Secretary Lindsay Fraser and SA Unions Secretary Janet Giles all pledged their organisations’ support for Ark. The crowd swore the oath first taken by the workers who made their stand at the Eureka Stockade in 1854:

“We swear by the Southern Cross to stand truly by each other and fight to defend our rights and liberties.”