
Issue No 76		03 November 2000

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

Letters to the Editor

Earthworkers Unite

Workers Online 71 quotes Rick Fowler of the CFMEU favourably of the S11 protest "These alliances must be the basis of future campaigns that will be waged against companies and Governments that do not respect workers and human rights". To achieve this, we need some broader organizing in NSW, open to all the S11 activists.

Unfortunately the S11 Coalition in Sydney bans the far left, one of the most energetic forces behind the success of S11. Melbourne's post S11 work is more promising.

Earthworker is organising a one day conference on November 11 to consider S11 under the title "N11 conference: A Day of Reflection and Strategy". One proposal for the conference suggests that the basis for further campaigns against global capital lies in targeting specific global corporations, known for their violations of workers, women's and indigenous rights and disregard for a sustainable environment. It proposes to unite existing campaigns and trade union struggles which have already laid groundwork. It specifically emphasises the value of organising workers and unions who potentially have the strongest position from which to challenge global corporations.

Post-S11 gatherings could seek to identify which corporations make the most suitable targets for priority campaigning over the next few months, identifying specific demands, allies, and difficulties to be overcome. Open meetings in Sydney, with no exclusions, are the way to do this and build on the spirit and promise of S11 as identified by Rick Fowler.

Yours in solidarity,

Leon Parissi (PSA delegate, in a personal capacity, the above is not official PSA policy)

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Issue 76 contents

Interview: Withering On The Vine
Cooking shows and 'Bugs fucking to Mozart' may become the staple diet on our ABC as news and current affairs face a war of attrition. Quentin Dempster gives Workers Online an insider's view of our endangered national broadcaster .

US Election: Sugar Candy Politics
Like in everything else, Americans like their politics sugar coated. A Nation in denial, they are happier maintaining the fantasy that the world is a fine and dandy place says Michael Gadiel.

US Election: George W. Bushwhacked by Texas Truth Squad
The Texas Truth Squad are a group of Texan union members travelling the US on a crusade to expose the Republican presidential nominee as a corporate rogue who in his time as Governer proved himself as an enemy of the worker.

History: Federation and the Labour Movement
National celebrations will mark the Centenary of Federation next year. The labour movement's opposition to Federation at the referenda held around the Australian colonies in 1899 will attract less commemoration, although the republicans of 1999 might have benefited from reflection on the causes of working class discontent one hundred years earlier says Stuart Macintyre.

International: Unions Mac Their Day
McDonald's - the biggest employer of young people around the world - is increasingly becoming the target of union recognition campaigns, backed by human rights groups concerned about the fast food chains practices in countries such as Indonesia, China, Russia, Canada and Germany.

Satire: Wiranto�s charity album inspires genocidal maniacs everywhere
Indonesia�s favourite former strongman, General Wiranto, has recently decided to record an album of love songs. Entitled To You My Indonesia, Wiranto�s album has already sold 8,000 copies and is raising money for refugees.

Review: What About the Workers?
A big, gruff bloke in a blue singlet, on strike or just not working, and generally being difficult. That's the trade unionist for you. Barry Cohen's new book What About the Workers? shows this image may have a bit of truth about it, but he would be telling a few good yarns while he was standing about.

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