
Issue No 56		02 June 2000

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News

Workers March for Reconciliation

By Paul Howes

Over 1,500 trade unionists joined around 250,000 Australians on Sunday in marching across the Sydney Harbour Bridge for Reconciliation between black and white Australia.


	Paul Howes walks the walk

The "People's Walk for Reconciliation" was the main event of the "Corroboree 2000" Celebration, where the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation handed over to the Australian People the final document for Reconciliation.

However the mood was not all celebratory with the noticable absence of the Prime Minister John Howard who refused to attend the march and has constantly refused to apoligise to the Aboriginal people for over 200 years or oppression.

Today's Sydney Morning Herald editorial stated "At the Opera House Mr. Howard was jeered. On the bridge he was physically absent but on people's minds, as one so spritually out of touch as to have lost the claim of leadership."

The Unionists marching as with the majority of the people there where calling on the Prime Minister to say sorry. They were led by Labor Council of NSW Secretary Michael Costa and ACTU President Sharan Burrow.

Unions participating included the NSW Nurses Association, The NSW/ACT Independent Education Union, The Australian Services Union, The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, The Health and Research Employees Association, The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, The NSW Teachers Federation, the Community and Public Sector Union, the Finance Sector Union, The Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union, The Electrical Trades Union, The Maritime Union of Australia, The Australian Workers Union, The NSW Public Sector Association and the Trade Union Choir.

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Issue 56 contents

Interview: When the War is Over
Teachers Federation chief Sue Simpson has just come through the industrial dispute of a lifetime. But where to now for her members?

Politics: The Beazley Manifesto
Read the full transcript of Kim Beazley's Fraser Lecture develiered this week, where he unveiled Labor's new industrial relations platform.

Unions: Dudded on the Dock of the Bay
Until a few weeks ago Allan and Beverley Crelley had never ever heard of SERCO the big London multinational that specialises in winning contracts from governments committed to outsourcing their workers.

History: The Long March for Justice
Against the backdrop of the Walk for Reconciliation across the Sydney Harbour Bridge that took place last Sunday, it is worthwhile recognising that trade unionists were actively promoting the issue decades ago.

International: UK Unions Turn the Corner
Union membership is on the rise for the first time in 20 years, indicating an early response to union recognition legislation set to come into effect next month.

Work/Time/Life: Flexible Clerks Save Hours
The Australian Services Union has successfully blocked an attempt by wholesaler Davids Limited to force clerical staff at the company's Blacktown office from flexible working hours to a standard 38 hour week.

Review: Who Really Won the War?
It might be being pulped for a reference to serial-suitor Peter Costello, but 'Waterfront' has sparked some lively debate about our recent industrial history.

Satire: Gosper's New Torch Role
A week after he was excluded from the Olympic torch relay as a result of public criticism, Kevan Gosper has been reinstated by SOCOG President Michael Knight for a special project.

» Long Service Leave Push for Short-Term Workers

» Carr Asked to Act on Fiji Crisis

» Major Blow to Government Outsourcing

» Beazley Blocks Contracts as Reith Hits New Wall

» Carr Makes Formal Offer on Olympics Pay

» Surfing Carnivals Highlights Beach Threat

» Mail Stopped Over Junk Deal

» CBA Staff To Strike Over Queues and Abuse

» Women's Bureau to Stay in DIR

» Joy's Winter of Discontent

» Advocate Pushes Pattern Bargaining

» Nike Versus The Workers

» New Safety Laws A First in Australia

» Workers March for Reconciliation

» Labour Movement Mourns Loss of Neil Marshall (11th June 1943 - 31st May 2000)