Australian Unions call for peace

As of: 27/10/23

The Australian Services Union (Victorian Private Sector Branch) has joined the Union movement in calling for an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Palestine. We echo the calls from the Victorian Trades Hall Council, Australian Council of Trade Unions, and the International Trade Union Congress.

The union movement is a movement of peace. We reiterate our strong opposition to all forms of violence, as well as racism, antisemitism, and islamophobia.

Statements of Support
The Joint Statement: Australian Civil Society Statement in Solidarity with Gaza is available online here: https://acij.org.au/joint-statement-australian-civil-society-statement-in-solidarity-with-gaza/

As an affiliate of the Victorian Trades Hall Council (VTHC), we support their statement and calls for an end to violence in Israel and Palestine and the right of self-determination for Palestinian people, available via the link VTHC Statement on Palestine Oct 2023.

As an organisational member of Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA, VTHC supports their statement, available online here: https://www.apheda.org.au/statement-on-the-humanitarian-crisis-in-palestine/

As an affiliate of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), we support their statement, available online here: https://asuvic.org/actu-calls-for-an-urgent-ceasefire-in-israel-and-palestine/

International Solidarity
The ASU is proud to be a founding member of the Australian Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN). APAN was established in 2011 and is made up of many thousands of Australians who are concerned about Israel’s continuing human rights abuses against Palestinian, and the continuing effects of dispossession and displacement. APAN members include grassroots human rights groups; Jewish and Palestinian groups; aid and development agencies; and unions. Find out more about APAN’s important work here.

APHEDA Gaza Humanitarian Appeal
Victorian unionists are encouraged to support the Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA Gaza Humanitarian Appeal, which can be found at: https://gaza-emergency-appeal-2023.raisely.com/

The APHEDA Melbourne Fundraiser will also be held at 5pm on Wednesday 29 November at Victorian Trades Hall. Registrations essential at: https://www.apheda.org.au/fundraiser-for-gaza/

Funds raised will support their partner organisation MA’AN Development Centre, a local Palestinian NGO that provides aid to women, their children and farmers. MA’AN has operated in Palestine for over 30 years with 290 staff across the West Bank and Gaza.

How to get involved
The ASU is proud to be a member of the Australian Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) and Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA. We continue to work with and support these organisations to ensure we can have a meaningful and direct impact for civilians and workers on the ground.

APAN: APAN was established in 2011 and is made up of many thousands of Australians who are concerned about Israel’s continuing human rights abuses against Palestinian, and the continuing effects of dispossession and displacement. APAN members include grassroots human rights groups; Jewish and Palestinian groups; aid and development agencies; and unions.  APAN is involved in a range of activities and campaigns that seek to influence Australia’s public policy in regard to Palestine and Israel, in line with UN resolutions, human rights and international law. Find out more or become a member via the APAN website here.

APHEDA: Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA is the global justice organisation of the Australian union movement, working to support stronger union and social movements in thirteen locations in Southeast Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, and Southern Africa. Established in 1984, Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA’s international program has developed from a rights based approach, with a focus on solidarity, not charity. APHEDA do that by working in partnership with thirty-nine local trade unions and community organisations through thirty projects and campaigns. Find out more or become a member via the APHEDA website here.

For information on upcoming events, rallies and fundraisers in your local area, please sign up to APAN and APHEDA e-newsletters and social media accounts.

ASU members can take further action by:

Solidarity rallies are taking place in Melbourne at 12noon every Sunday at the State Library of Victoria. 

Donate to APHEDA or arrange a fundraiser at your workplace. 

Join APAN.

Email your local MP via APHEDA’s Gaza ceasefire now platform.