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Issue No. 134 03 May 2002  
E D I T O R I A L

The Hijacking of May Day
Unionists watching the shambolic and violent affair that was the M1 protest could be forgiven for wondering what has become of the traditional workers' day?

F E A T U R E S

Interview: Youth Group
Federal Labor's youngest frontbencher, Nicola Roxon, on how the ALP can win back the hearts and minds of the young.

History: Back To The Future
As building unions put old animosity aside, Neale Towart looks at the history of the 'demarc' - and the steps taken to avoid them.

Industrial: On the Street
Jim Marr looks at the human cost of Treasurer Peter Costello's refusal to fund a pay rise for community workers.

Unions: The New Deal
Adam Kerslake outlines the importance of the ground-breaking pact between unions in the building and civil construction industries.

Legal: The Police State Road
Rowan Cahill argues that the Howard Government's new anti-terror laws carries echoes of a more sinister past.

Women: What Women Want
When 300 ALP women from around Australia converged on Canberra for the National Labor Women�s Conference they had more than quotas on thier minds, Alison Peters reports.

Politics: Street Party
Paul Howes looks at how May Day was celebrated around the Globe by those involved in trade unions and those who are not.

International: The Costs of War
Ariel Sharon is facing growing pressure from Israeli unions over the conduct of his war on Palestine, reports Andrew Casey.

Review: Songs of Solidarity
It had rock, grunge, pop and rap. The May Day union anthem song contest had everything, including an element of surprise thanks to competition winner Swarmy G.

Satire: Bono Satisfies World Hunger for Preachy Rockstars
U2�s lead singer Bono has launched a daring solo mission to end the world�s hunger for rock stars who use their high profiles to crap on self-righteously about charitable causes.

Poetry: Woomera
Divide and rule, that age old tactic...the lips of defence personnel inexcusably sewn to dehumanise an imaginary threat, the lives of asylum seekers incomprehensively dehumanised so as to defend a threatening image.

N E W S

 Yarra Seamen Take Border Stand

 War on Terror Targets Unions

 Year Zero for Building Unions

 Kinkos Copies Anti-Union Script

 Nike Told to Shoosh on Sweatshops

 Rapper Wins Wobbly Anthem Prize

 Technicians Take Aim At Canon

 Unions Target Labour Hire Bidding War

 Rally Targets Tight-Arse Costello

 Councils To Be Audited On Language Allowance

 Scope For Payback In Privacy Limitations

 Heavyweight Push For Medibank Private To Stay Public

 What About Dad? - TWU

 East Timor MPs Question Timor Gap Plan

 Artists' Union Bans Voice For Peace

 Activist Notebook

C O L U M N S

The Soapbox
Maurie on May Day
PSA supremo Maurie O'Sullivan had them in the palms of his hands when he delivered the traditional May Day Toast.

The Locker Room
Impractical Punting
Most of life is six to five against. That is, unless you know a Packer or a Waterhouse. Phil Doyle expands.

Bosswatch
Show Me The Money!
It may be May Day - but life in the banking industry has never been sweeter - unless you're in the gambling caper.

Week in Review
Two Bob Each Way
The double standards of modern life have left Jim Marr scratching his head.

Tool Shed
Border Insurgent
Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson has blockaded himself into the Tool Shed this week for opening Australia's borders up to flag of convenience ships with Third World crews.

L E T T E R S
 Doctors in the Bush
 M1 Open Letter
 Julian Online
 May Day Debacle
 Mothers Day Musings
 Greetings From Canada
WHAT YOU CAN DO
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Review

Songs of Solidarity

By Tara de Boehmler

It had rock, grunge, pop and rap. The May Day union anthem song contest had everything, including an element of surprise thanks to competition winner Swarmy G.
 

The event began unofficially with a group rendition from the floor of 'Solidarity Forever' so moving that many pitied the first contestants to take to the stage. But stringed retro-poppers Mahuia Cooper made light work of the task with their song 'Union'.

Its "union is our pride" chorus sounded like it was made to provide the backdrop of a television campaign promoting union values in the workplace. It conjured images of a workplace utopia filled with smiling faces belonging to a happy, well-rested, well-paid, appreciated, safe and secure workforce basking in the glow of union wins.

Later in the night class act Dogbite sounded a call for joint action on the union workplace dance floor with their song 'Clout'. A simple request for fair wages, paid maternity leave and some holiday pay was punctuated by the observation that those who stand alone have no clout, hence the title.

Aussie rock outfit, the Urban Guerillas, brought back wistful memories of the days when pubs and clubs throughout the land were falling over themselves to support local talent. Their energetic performance combined with the catchy lyrics contained in 'Touch One Touch All' made them a natural crowd pleaser and yet another force to be reckoned with in the competition stakes.

One act that did not appear to place crowd-pleasing activities at the top of their daily 'to do' list was Western Suburbs hip hop rap act Swarmy G. Sprouting slogans accusingly to the bewildered audience about substance abuse, stepping on dirty syringes, plastic MCs, bad drugs and violence on the streets, Swarmy G then announced on a brighter note that he would f**k the blues and move on with nothing to lose.

But then, just as some members of the audience looked like they were also getting ready to move, Swarmy G rooted everyone back into their seats with their powerful union finale 'May Day, May Day'. Artfully rapping in a broad Australian accent about serious issues facing struggling workers, Swarmy G easily whipped the crowd into a sing-along, fist-waving frenzy for the song's chorus "May Day, May Day solidarity is here to stay". Ending the number with the assurance that "your voices won't fade away" Swarmy G made it instantly clear there could be only one winner on the night ... them.

But while Swarmy G might have fairly won the union anthem competition, there is potentially a much broader win to be garnered by all. The union movement is the natural champion of the live music scene. Like so many workforces ruthlessly slashed away at by corporate led globalisation and its Siamese twin economic rationalism, live music has also been squeezed out of venues throughout the state by clubs and publicans chasing pokie machine profits over patron satisfaction.

Numerous talented musicians have had their means cut off and their voices muted as a result. Meanwhile the union movement holds many events that could be boosted by the inclusion of Australia's talented, diverse and terminally ignored live acts. Wobbly Radio's union anthem successfully highlighted the unlimited potential that could be tapped into by consciously forging a stronger alliance between social justice politics and the Australian music scene. Should the event start a wave, the future for all parties will look the brighter for it.

CD featuring top entrants coming soon.


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