Workplace bullying can happen to anyone

ADAM Goodes is a former Australian of the Year, a dual Brownlow medalist who has played in two premiership-winning games, and a committed ambassador for the movement that condemns violence against women — the White Ribbon campaign.

But he’s more than that — he’s also a worker, an employee of the Sydney Swans who turns up every weekend for crowds who’ve paid to see him deliver game-changing performances for his teammates, his fans and his club.
The union movement stands with Adam

The union movement condemns racism wherever it occurs, but it’s the booing and racial taunts against Goodes in his workplace that saw the Victorian Trades Hall Council produce a poster of support for Goodes this week.

Here’s VTHC Secretary Luke Hilakari tweeting the poster and his support for Goodes:

Booing Adam Goodes is not ok. I stand with him #AdamGoodes#ausunions#aflpic.twitter.com/YNnjm6eAKh

— Luke Hilakari (@lhilakari) July 30, 2015

And here’s ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver expressing his views about the need for respect in workplaces.

All people need to be treated with respect in their workplaces, including Adam Goodes #ausunions

— Dave Oliver (@actudave) July 30, 2015

The AMWU produced this message of support for Goodes.

For the AFL Players Association, there’s no question the treatment of Goodes is an industrial issue. The Association’s CEO Paul Marsh released a statement saying racism has no place in the game:

“Any further behaviour of the nature we have seen directed towards Adam Goodes should be condemned for what it is — racism. The AFL Players’ Association and our members call on all football fans to take a stance and report any such behaviour.”

And here’s a tweet from the Western Bulldogs’ Bob Murphy.

Wednesday hero #AdamGoodes pic.twitter.com/PGGeceJbpS — Bob Murphy (@BobMurphy02) July 28, 2015

In a thought-provoking piece on the newsite Crikey yesterday, Guy Rundle made the argument that AFL players need to mobilise around Goodes, act like the collective they are and strike in solidarity whenever the booing starts:

“Players have to break the isolation the crowd is imposing on Goodes by re-solidarising, and collectively walking off. Both sides, for five minutes, each time mass and targeted booing starts.”

Rundle finishes his article reminding us that players are also workers and comrades:

“The crowd booing was an attempt not merely to break his spirit, but to break his heart … No one now can turn that around but the players, becoming again workers, comrades and team members rather than commodities and servants to the spectacle.”

Another great read yesterday was Stan Grant’s powerful piece in The Guardian on growing up Indigenous in Australia and the everyday racism that has always been a part of his life.

What do you think? Is it time for the AFL players go on strike?