
Issue No 59		23 June 2000

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The Locker Room

George Piggins on the Rabbitohs' Court Case

The moment of truth has finally arrived and it's been a long, hard road just getting to this point. But now that Souths day in court has arrived the public will get a chance to watch justice and the law in action.

It's come as a great relief to have eventually got to the point where we can present the case of the "People's Team" more than a year after what we argue was our unjust dismissal from the NRL.

Other than that, I am not able to say much more due to legal considerations, but all our supporters know just how I feel because you all feel the same. We believe ourcase is just and has great merit. We also believe in the truth of what we've been arguing.

But as another demonstration of the popularity of Souths and the extreme unpopularity of the NRL and News Ltd, Saturday night saw more than 700 people turn up to the Barclay Lounge in Rockdale for a night of support put on by Sydney's Greek Community.

I'm told that 300 people had to be knocked back because the fund-raising dinner was over subscribed. The support for our cause just goes on and on.

Like the Lebanese night a couple of weeks earlier, many of the Souths legends were on hand to lend their support. It was great to have blokes like Jack Rayner, Ivan Jones, Ron Coote, Keith Edwards, Wayne Stevens, Greg Evans, Les Davidson, Jim Morgan, Ray and Arthur Branigan, Brian James, Sean Garlick and Craig Coleman.

The gathering opened up its heart and wallet and managed to come up with tens of thousands of dollars to add to our war chest.

Throughout this entire battle, the thing that has kept me and the Board going is the support of the public. It's overwhelming and we can never thank you people and your sense of fair play enough.

I am proud of my fellow Aussies, whether they be of Greek, Lebanese, Anglo or Calathumpian origin. You are all wonderful people and wonderful supporters who have helped bring us to the Federal Court with both your financial and moral support.

History proves that people power is invincible. You might be able to win a few battles against a popular groundswell, but you'll never win the war.

Souths army of support is far too strong, even for the forces lined upon against us. Everywhere you go in this land you can hear the battle cry....

Come on the Rabbitohs!

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  Issue 59 contents

Interview: Holding the Line
Diwan Shankar, Assistant National Secretary of the Fiji TUC, is in Australia to consolidate support for his members and plead for ongoing bans.

Technology: D-Day for VC?
NSW Labor Council secretary Michael Costa explains the motivations behind the new Get on Board computer-internet venture.

Legal: Knock, Knock - Who's There?
When the nine year old son of CFMEU construction division state secretary Andrew Ferguson recently responded to a Saturday door knock, it was neither a friend nor a Jehovah's Witness.

Unions: Are You a Good Listener ?
Mark Hearn goes inside the Energy Australia call centre to find a workplace where there is a code for evrything - even trips to the toilet.

International: Union Observers Barred from Zimbabwe Poll
Five observers from the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) and 19 other South Africans aligned to Zimbabwe's Catholic Commission for Peace and Justice are among 233 observers barred by the Zimbabwean government from monitoring the parliamentary elections.

History: Community, Class, and Comparison
Despite its occasional romantic tendencies, new labour scholarship is mapping collective action within working class communities.

Satire: Rural Poor Return to Labor
Thrilled by the great new branding, the new Country Labor party has caused scenes of great rejoicing in the country.

Review: The Wicked Webs We Weave
LaborNet web-meastro Paul Howes trawls the web for some hot sites for all you political junkies.

» STOP PRESS: Get on Board Moves Virtual

» Orange at Risk - Call for City's Help

» Unions to Get Equity in New Computer Deal

» Aussie Competition Laws Protect Fijian Terrorists

» Union Rat Sinks Industrial Laws

» Olympic Rail Deal Struck for Games Period

» GST Fears for Union Delegates

» No Cigars for Casino High Rollers

» Frustration Boils Over Olympics Blowout

» Support for Campaign Against TAFE Cuts

» Private Sector Health Workers Seek Pay Equity

» Bosses Hoist on Own Petard

» Construction Industry Assists East Timor Training

» AFL-CIO Leader to Address Congress

» Full ACTU Congress Coverage on LaborNet

» The Soapbox

» The Locker Room

» Trades Hall

» Tool Shed

» Freudian Slip

» Volunteers in Policing

» Tax Farce

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