What we do
The Community Union Defence League (CUDL) was founded in Adelaide in 2016, originating from the trade union movement with a mission to support workers and their unions who were facing challenges from employers. Initially formed to rally community backing for union officials from the CFMEU penalised by the Australian Building and Construction Commission, CUDL quickly became a beacon of solidarity. The overwhelming response to their efforts, including fundraising and displaying massive banners from bridges, affirmed their vital role.
CUDL’s activities expanded beyond initial support, as they began providing practical aid at picket lines in Sydney and Melbourne, bringing food and beverages to striking workers and offering support during confrontations.
The organisation grew to include street kitchens in major cities and various services for the disadvantaged, such as home maintenance and support for those facing eviction. Their involvement in organising "tent cities" for the homeless and securing accommodation illustrates a commitment to expand their range of services while staying true to their origins in organised labour.
Today, CUDL stands as a testament to the power of community and labour unity, continuing to provide immediate support through collective efforts and mobilising around causes for social and economic justice. Through accessible workshops, discussions, and direct actions, they aim to empower individuals to challenge prevailing systems and advocate for substantial change. This work is underpinned by their beginnings in the trade union movement, reminding us of the enduring strength of solidarity and the importance of rallying community support to address and surmount societal challenges.
The essence of CUDL transcends the conventional role of a support group; it is a catalyst for societal awareness, a champion for justice, and a builder of a future where collective action reshapes our societal fabric for the better. Engaging with CUDL means embarking on a path of empowerment and active participation, committed to transforming lives and the community at large.COMRADES AND FRIENDS, YOU WITH US?
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Community Union journal
Featured
The history of the Community Union Defence League and its commitment to a more just society demand that we act now. At this very moment, federal and state governments are delivering a blow against what many regard as the most effective union in the country. Even enemies of the CFMEU recognise that. With this attack, the Albanese government, with the support of its state counterparts and in alliance with big business, are seeking to impose a template for tame-cat unionism that will deliver worse safety, less pay and eroded conditions. If the government gets their way, workers will lose control over their own unions.
CUDL was formed in 2016 in response to a previous assault on the CFMEU. The Australian Building and Construction Commission sought to jail officials and organisers of that union and succeeded in hitting some with crippling fines. Outraged workers responded by raising funds to help with these fines and rallied community support for the union. These were the origins of CUDL. Since then, CUDL has expanded into other work such as the street kitchens that help many of the worst hit victims of the economic system imposed on us.