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| Issue No 28 |  |
27 August 1999 |
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NewsSurfing the Wave
An estimated 15,000 workers marched through the streets of Sydney, Tuesday, in the city's funkiest rally ever to protest the proposed Second Wave of industrial relations reforms.
To the driving surf music of The Wetsuits and the dulcet tones of jazz diva Su Cruikshank, the marchers heard real stories from real workers about the impact of the changes, sang along to Solidarity Forever and danced to Wipe Out and other surf classics. Workers and police agreed it was the least aggressive rally of its size in memory and the media images of young workers like KFC employee Claire Hamilton provided fresh images of trade unionists on the TV news. The rally was consistent with Labor Council's shift to an organising approach, with a focus on members rather than officials. Pointedly, no union officials appeared on the stage during the rally - although a few were spotted dancing nearby! The big crowd had earlier gathered in Hyde Park and marched past State Parliament through to the Prime Minister's office in Phillip Street. There was a big turnout by many unions - some of whom bussed members and delegates into the city. The Transport Workers Union added to the rally, directing more than 100 trucks into Hyde Park to honk their support and ensure that city motorists realised there was some action going on. Once outside the Prime Minister's office, ordinary workers told their stories and outlined the impact of the Reith Second Wave on their jobs. Claire Hamilton from KFC at Mosman and a member Shop Assistants Union told the crowd that under the Second Wave she'd be deemed to be part of an illegal closed shop, because her union has more than 60 per cent coverage. She spoke of the difficulties young people faced in dealing directly with their employers, particularly in large organisations. Di Smith a member of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance and a familiar face from her work on A Country Practice and more recently, The Great Outdoors, spoke of the impact on weakening the award safety net on workers. The attempts to strip back the actors' Nudity Clause was one example of how workers could be more vulnerable without the award!. John Walton , a member of the maritime Union of Australia, was working for Patricks the night Corrigan and Reith sent the dogs in. He thanked the crowd for their support during the dispute and the lessons he has learned since, particularly the importance of sticking together. Belinda Nicholls, a housekeeper at the Hyde Park Hyatt, recounted how her experience after joining the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union. Hotel management tried to shift them on to Peter Reith's anti-union individual contracts, going as far as approaching them to sign the AWAs while they were working alone in hotel rooms. Roy Lamoon, one of the victorious Oakdale Miners , spoke of his struggle for justice and success in securing protection for all workers' entitlements. But he warned until legislation was in place the battle was not over. Spencer Morrison ,a member of the Transport Workers Union, told of how he had been thrown out of work after 12 years when his business had gone broke, leaving him $39,000 out of pocket. Spencer and his colleagues at J Dem are now the focus of a major union campaign. Dion Neale, a customer service operator at Telstra and a member of the Community and Public Sector Union, spoke of the full impact of the sort of family-busting work practices that the Howard government is promoting within the public sector. Mario Barrios, one of the building workers who brought the Olympics Stadium project in on time and under budget, spoke of the campaign of harassment now being waged by Peter Reith's Employment Advocate. Finally, Joy Buckland , a member of the Finance Sector Union and manager of the Padstow Branch ANZ, spoke about life in an industry where one million hours of unpaid overtime are worked every week. In one of the most poignant quotes of the day she said "we want to live in a society, not an economy". Workers Online wants to thank all the speakers for their brave contributions, they - more than anyone - made the day a great success.. After the speakers, many unionists proclaimed it was the best rally they'd ever attended - suggesting the formula of live music, real workers and fun over friction may be tried again.
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   Interview: Talking TurkeyA full transcript of an important interview with the Minister for Workplace Relations, the Hon Peter Reith. Politics: What Reith told the ILOWorkers 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 SaidActor Di Smith was one of nine ordinary workers who addressed this week's rally. Here's what she had to say. International: Cancelling the DebtSign 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 DustResidents 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 ViolenceExtracts from Yosi Berger's new book, telling the real stories behind workpalce safety.
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