South Australian unions call on political leaders to take a stand against hate and division

South Australian unions are calling on leaders from all political parties to condemn the increasingly brazen tactics of the far right after the Semaphore Workers Club was attacked by neo-Nazi vandals.

The Semaphore Workers Club was broken into earlier this week by intruders who smashed their way in and defaced the club’s heritage billiard tables with Nazi symbols.

The club has a proud association with the trade union movement and has served as a bastion of progressive politics on the Lefevre Peninsula for decades.

Nazis and fascists have always been threatened by the organised workers’ movement.

The fundamental principle of the trade union movement is solidarity – no matter the colour of your skin, where you come from, the faith you practice, or who you love, all working people share common interests. When workers stand together, we have the power to build a better world.

Nazis, fascists, and members of the far right attack trade unionists because they are afraid of that power.

They spread ridiculous and false narratives that some people are inherently better than others as a deliberate tactic to take power away from working people. 

When workers are divided by race, gender, nationality, sexuality, or religion, they  are easier to dominate and exploit. 

Workers in their unions will always fight back against attempts to sow hate and division. 

Union members know that all people are equal and deserving of dignity and respect. We will always stand up for fairness, justice, and equality.

Quotes attributable to SA Unions Secretary Dale Beasley

“Some politicians and public figures are increasingly giving licence to the sort of views which motivated this attack. Rhetoric which fans the flames of hate and division will always lead to violence. It’s time for every political leader to stand up and make it clear that this sort of hate, division, and anger has no place in our community.”

“Whatever we call them, Neo-Nazis, fascists, ultra-conservatives, and the far right are the foot soldiers of billionaires and the big end of town. Their aim is to hoard power and wealth for themselves by driving working people apart.”

 “Unions have always stood up against the power of the big end of town and worked together to get working people a fairer share of the value they produce. We always have, and always will. That’s why they don’t like us.”  

“Behind all the nonsense, pseudoscience, and conspiracy theories of the far right’s worldview, there’s a simple fact. Workers who stand together have the power to win a better deal.”

“The far right knows what workers can achieve, and they’re scared of it. We will always stand up against their attempts to drive working people apart with fear and hate.”