
Issue No 28		27 August 1999

Trades Hall

Introducing Sarah

Sarah Kaine is the Labor Council's new organiser coordinator. Here's what she's on about.


	Sarah Kaine

So what does an Organiser at Labor Council do?

Good question, but I think the debate is moving beyond whether we need to Organise - I think the more pertinent question is where to begin? There is little question that workers are coming under increasing attack and with union membership falling many unionists are accepting the fact that we will have to Organise our way out of trouble.

What do we actually mean by Organise? Empowering workers at workplaces to improve their working lives by developing activists and promoting collective activity around issues which are widely and deeply felt - definitely not rocket science.

So how do we develop the Organising capacity of Labor Council?

Firstly, by working intensively with individual unions on campaigns of significance - not simply by assisting with Commission work but by providing on the ground support. This does not just mean an extra organiser but also includes assistance with research, planning, activist development and review.

Secondly, by working one-on-one with organisers and activists to assist in the development of appropriate training structures.

Thirdly, by improving our capacity to mobilise quickly on issues of movement wide importance. This process was kicked off on Tuesday with the circulation of a "Workers Support Register".

And last but definitely not least - continuing the push for cultural change within the Labor Council, from a competent provider of industrial support to a campaigning centre providing the impetus and encouragement for affiliates to experiment with new ways of Organising.

What is the "Workers Support Register"?

Basically it is a list of supporters prepared to be involved in activities which either defend the rights of workers to organise or assist in organising campaigns. People who sign onto the register opt for varying levels of commitment - from taking part in 'peaceful community assemblies', to becoming correspondence activists, to giving up a Saturday to help organise non-members.

Despite a modest birth, the potential of the Register is exciting because it's this kind of commitment from workers to get involved in organising, which is going to form the basis of union renewal.

To go on the Worker Support Register send us your:

- name

- address

- phone number,

- email address

- union

And lets us know which of the following activities you would be interested in participating in (indicate numbers 1-6):

1. Participate twice a year in a phone tree which is activated when workers rights are being violated, either attending a picket at short notice or ringing five other people to explain the situation to them.

2. Collect signatures for petitions supporting the rights of workers

3. Write a letter expressing support for workers whose rights are under threat.

4. Spend one Saturday a year assisting in the organisation of non-union workers?

5. Handout leaflets to the public to support workers rights

6. Assist at my workplace with the Labor Council/ACTU campaign for reasonable working hours and job security.

  Sign up for the Workers Support Register!

  View entire issue - print all of the articles!

  Issue 28 contents

Interview: Talking Turkey
A full transcript of an important interview with the Minister for Workplace Relations, the Hon Peter Reith.

Politics: What Reith told the ILO
Workers Online has recevied a transcript of roving statesman Peter Reith's talk to the ILO in Geneva. This one's not satire.

Unions: What the Workers Said
Actor Di Smith was one of nine ordinary workers who addressed this week's rally. Here's what she had to say.

International: Cancelling the Debt
Sign this Jubilee 2000 email petition now and tell the world's most powerful leaders to cancel the unpayable debts of the world's poorest countries by the year 2000.

Environment: Greens, CFMEU call for Action on Ceiling Dust
Residents and workers, associated with houses damaged in the freak hail storm that hit Sydney earlier this year, may have been exposed to harmful levels of toxic materials found in the ceiling dust of the damaged buildings

History: Eveleigh Railway Workshops celebration
Former workers and their families from the historic Eveleigh Railway Workshops in inner-Sydney are holding a picnic reunion and folk music festival on the site this Sunday.

Republic: Does the Republic Need a President?
It seems inevitable that Australia will eventually become a republic but do we need a president?

Satire: Liberals May Need to Sell of More of Telstra
'We're running low in key marginals,� says Alston

Review: A Kind of Violence
Extracts from Yosi Berger's new book, telling the real stories behind workpalce safety.

» Shock New Stats! Readers Desert Newspapers

» Surfing the Wave

» Vizard Smokescreen Clouds Computer Deal

» Youth Wages: Is Bevis a Butthead?

» Which Bank Harasses Sick Workers?

» SOCOG Eyes Wide Shut on Games Gear

» Scully Uses Reith First Wave Against Rail Workers

» Reith Building Blitz Hits Bum Note

» Entitlements Focus Shifts Back to Woodlawn

» Fresh South Coast Ballot Called

» "Big Drum Up" For East Timor

» Eric Lee Public Forum

» Guest Report

» Sport

» Trades Hall

» Piers Watch

» Vizard: Net Content Is Vital

» No, No, No to MSN Model

» The Vizard deal. Is it another great deal for you!!!!???

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