
Issue No 109		31 August 2001

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

News

Authorities Scotch Bra-Burning

Police intervention prevented the ceremonial burning of bras, but a public protest this week still succeeded in raising awareness of Triumph's trade with Burma.

About 100 protestors from union, church and community groups gathered in Sydney's Pitt Street mall outside the grace Brothers department store, one of the outlets that sell Triumph bras.

Legislative Council president Meredith Burgman had planned to burn one of the Triumph bras, until the authorities intervened. Instead she cut the bra into small pieces.

But the stunt still reaped benefits, with national newspaper attention given to the vexed issue of whether or not it was legal to burn a bra.

The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian and the Daily Telegraph all ran articles on the bra-burning stand-off, all mentioning the campaign against Triumph.

Triumph was targeted because it refused to cease manufacturing in Burma, despite a recommendation from the International Labour Organisation to cease trade over the military regime's use of slave labour.

Triumph Cancels Talks

Meanwhile, the target of Tuesday's action, Triumph, responded to the protest by immediately cancelling planned talks with the FairWear Alliance.

The actions should ensure that further protests across the country are held as FairWear continue pressure on the Swiss multinational.

"We have decided to give them one month to agree to a meeting - during which time we will continue to distribute the postcards, make the most out of the media coverage we've just had and generally continue to raise awareness about the clothing being made in Burma," FairWear convenor Lisa Wriley says .

"If they continue to avoid dialogue with us we will begin a series of actions and vigils outside retailers in local shopping centres."

For more information, postcards please contact the FairWear office by phone [612] 9380 9091, email [email protected] or check our website www.awatw.org.au/fairwear.

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Issue 109 contents

Interview: Union Power
Electrical Trades Union state secretary Bernie Riordan surveys the union movement's troubled relationship with Labor.

International: Spreading the Word
Veronica Apap profiles Kamal Fadel and the battle he is fighting for the independence of his homeland of West Sahara.

E-Change: Training for a Wired Workforce
Education is the entry point into the new economy; but the system still reflects an industrial age view of the world.

Unions: AWU Defends Millennium Train Workers
Mark Hearn looks at how a group of Newcastle workers are setting a new standard in the railways.

Politics: Chatting with Enemies of the State
Brazils MST is the largest and most radical social movement in the Americas. The CFMEU´s Phil Davey drops in for a chat.

History: Struggle and Inspiration
Rowan Cahill argues that it is only through understanding history that we can make sense of the present plight of workers.

Technology: A World Without Microsoft
Heather Sharp argues that all technologies involve political choices and moral values. Computer software is no exception, and it is Bill Gates' choices that dominate.

Review: Let There Be Rock
Kid Rock and Beer Bong, Australia’s Oldest Rock Fans review the week’s music and political events from the safety of the bar stool.

Satire: Tampa refugees ask to go home: "It's less inhumane than Australia"
The 460 asylum seekers on board the Tampa freight vessel have demanded to be taken back to their oppressive homelands, which they now realise aren’t nearly as hostile as Australia.

» The Meaning of Working Life – The Answer is 7.1!

» Unions Stand Up for National Soul

» MUA Salvages Some Pride

» Common Law Report Plea – Make It Public

» Maintenance Contract 'Could Put Lives at Risk'

» Tax Office's GST Scam - 10 Per Cent Off!

» Della Moves on Pay Slip Concerns

» Authorities Scotch Bra-Burning

» Manusafe Decision Faces Appeal

» Orange Finally Saved from Closure

» Award Win For Telco Workers

» Abbott Clears Way for Lower Wages

» SDA Defeats 'Obscene' Westfield Parking Fees

» Labor Calls On Abbott To Abide By Convention

» Nurses Highlight Staff Shortages

» Keystone Cops At Wonderland Protest

» Call for Change in Award Increases

» Green Tin Box Values Gone At Commonwealth

» Dance for Independence

» Get Ready to Wobble

» Activist Notebook

» STOP PRESS: ITF says PM Tampa action illegal