The RTBU has a long track record acting to support social justice, international solidarity, and peace activity in Australia and with transport workers in many countries.
Across generations, our members campaigned against conscription in WWI, the Vietnam War, nuclear weapons, South African apartheid, and for the independence for Timor Leste.
As unionists we have advocated for justice, fairness and decent living conditions not just in Australia but also given our support to other workers around the world. We recognise that war unfairly targets the lives and dignity of the working class – from civilians too often caught in the crossfire, to soldiers enrolled from our ranks, working families suffer.
In most recent times, shockwaves of the barbaric war between Israel and Hamas has seen the deaths of over 38,000 people since October last year.
Many more find themselves in a dire and catastrophic humanitarian situation with Gaza’s entire population being subjected to displacement and a lack of food, drinking water and basic medical supplies imposed by military means controlling the availability of aid.
The Rail Divisions Committees of Management recently recognised the significant number of workers killed in Gaza through attacks on schools, hospitals, ambulances, a wide range of infrastructure and UN sites including journalists, nurses, doctors, teachers, public servants and essential aid workers.
Our solidarity is with all who have been impacted by this war and the longstanding occupation and conflict in the region affecting not only Gaza, Israel and the West Bank, but also our communities here in Australia.
Noting the January 26 interim ruling of the International Court of Justice that Israel is plausibly committing the crime of genocide in Gaza. We applaud the leadership, support and work being done by unions, activists and politicians in advocating for justice and peace in Palestine and Israel.
Our union recognises the outstanding and continuous campaign of rallies and actions around the world by all sections of the community.
Peace and justice are union business and we call for:
- An immediate, and permanent ceasefire, withdrawal of all Israeli military forces and end to the blockade of Gaza;
- The immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups in Gaza, and all Palestinian prisoners taken hostage by Israel;
- The unimpeded and urgent flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza and freedom of movement of people to enter and leave Gaza;
- An end to all illegal occupation;
- Australia to recognise an independent and democratic Palestinian state, within secure and sovereign borders. This is essential if the Palestinian and Israeli peoples are to live together in peace and harmony;
- Australia immediately cease all weapons, military, intelligence contributions to the war; and
- Australian industry super funds ensure that the $1.3 trillion worth of assets belonging to ordinary working Australians are not invested in businesses that are enabling or profiting from war.
We recognise that these are all the prerequisite measures for a just peace in this terrible conflict.
