
Issue No 92		20 April 2001

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

Unions

Losers Never Start

At the end of her six week vigil, Grenadier delegate Michelle Booth gave her heartfelt thanks to the trade union movement.


	Michelle Booth at Labor Council

*******************

As a child growing up I dreamt about the tings I would do when I was older. A Doctor, Lawyer, Police Office but I can honestly say I never thought I would be a factory worker who after years of service would be left not only without a job but also with the entitlements, which were rightfully mine.

Looking back now I cherish the advice my father gave me to join a union. Although I'm proud to be a T.C.F.U.A. member I'm proud to be part of a family that has stood beside me when we in trouble to fight for what is right. Six weeks ago we at Grenadier asked for help.

The C.F.M.E.U. organised a cricket match where we met other workers who were in trouble and although our situations were totally different we put them aside to have a bit of fun and to enjoy the moment. Later on a site shed was organised to keep us warm at night.

The M.U.A. who from the beginning have helped us in many ways, from financial support to ex-M.U.A. members coming down with boxes of fruit and vegetables to telling us old stories of disputes from years ago and current members coming down to see if we needed anything.

The T.W.U. who after a couple of days bought a caravan so we could use a barbecue and who when they learnt it was the first birthday of a worker's son organised and paid for a party.

The Nurses' Association who came down to help us when some of us were sick and didn't want to leave the line to see a Doctor.

An organiser from the A.M.W.U. who after visiting us went home and got a heater so we could be warm.

The A.W.U. who let us speak at a Delegates Conference so we could raise some money to continue our fight.

The Labor Council of NSW who kept popping in to say hello and whom after learning we lost our football went out and bought us one. Whether I asked for a cricket bat or sleeping bags they always delivered.

But most of all the T.C.F.U.A. I speak on behalf of my fellow workers when I say respect is not something you can buy. It's earnt. Tonight might be the last time we wee you as a group but you will always be in our hearts.

Paul, you were with us from our first night and when I was sick you went two hours out of your way to drive me home. Hueng who taught us how to spell in Vietnamese se we could cheat in scrabble. Kathy who played both scrabble and cards always loosing just to make us feel better. Steve who whenever we asked for anything always said yes. David who we are sure will achieve whatever he sets his mind to. Tony who taught us what a scouser was. Barbara who after being hit by a ladder and taken to hospital by ambulance to have her head stitched said, "I'm glad it was me it hit instead of you". John Owen who we lovingly call Fred never once led us to believe he was anything else but the ratbag he is. Whether it was ice cream, coke, videos or cigarettes he always delivered whatever we asked for.

Barry who spent hours talking to us in the middle of the night when morale was low, who we could call any time if we had a problem. After our decision last week to accept what was offered most of us felt like quitters and losers he said losers don't quit, they never start.

The last six weeks have proved that Grenadier workers not only stood up for themselves but we proved that the union is not only about me and now it is about guaranteeing 100% of future entitlements for workers in the years to come and that will be one of the proudest moments of our life. The time to act is now. Like our grandfathers and fathers we will fight to stop any erosion of what they fought so hard to achieve.

Grenadier workers now join the fight against workers' compensation because what touches one touches all.

Thank you.

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Issue 92 contents

Interview: Beyond the Accord
Simon Crean cut his teeth in the trade union movement, now he's gearing up to run the economy.

Politics: In Defence of Della�s List
The proposition that trade unions should ask members of the ALP for a commitment that they uphold Party policy should hardly be controversial.

Corporate: The Real Rorters
The unspoken sore of the WorkCover Scheme is non-compliance by employers. None more so that in the construction industry, as this CFMEU paper details.

Legal: In the Real World
Lawyer Ross Goodridge exposes the defficincies in the new medical assessment guidelines for workers compensation by looking at real case studies.

International: The Docklands and Global Labour
Ma Wei Pin and Jasper Goss recount how the struggle of a group of Indonesian hotel workers effected a lucrative Melbourne contract.

History: Sweatshops in America
Since the dawning of the Industrial Revolution, many generations of Americans have toiled in sweatshops.

Unions: Losers Never Start
At the end of her six week vigil, Grenadier delegate Michelle Booth gave her heartfelt thanks to the trade union movement.

Review: Working Classes: Global Realities
The Socialist Register 2001 looks at class realities and the lives of workers in the new century.

Satire: Democrats Change Leader
The Democrats have a new leader after belatedly discovering that Meg Lees had become the second Democrats leader in a row to defect to another party.

» Costa To Join Della�s List

» Compo Campaign Gathers Steam

» Della�s List: Dissident MPs Targeted

» Day of Mourning to be Compo Focus

» Small Steps in Negotiations � But Hard Yards Still to Come

» Important First Step for E-Mail Privacy

» Outraged Cleaners Continue AXA Axings Protests

» Grenadier Picket Ends � But Legacy Lives On

» Entitlement Dramas in Health and Printing

» Nurses Still Waiting on Olympics Bonus

» IRC Delays Hit Eight Month Barrier

» Claims of Dirty Tricks Conspiracy at Mobil

» Sydney Water Workers On Strike

» MUA Rides Anti-pollution Wave

» Governments Urged On Child Slavery

» Time To Act on Pay Discrimination

» Construction Union Supports Folk Festival

» Activists Notebook