
Issue No 96		18 May 2001

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Letters to the Editor

Who Saved May Day?

Dear Editor,

Reading the letter from Comrade Mark Lutherborrow (WoL - 11/05/01) almost brought a tear to the eye! It is always a pleasurable experience to read of the pride a member has for their union. I was at May Day 2001 (and am not an FBEU member!). Emotions ran high for some of us when we heard that "a decision" had been made to call off the march. I too "marched from Hyde Park down Macquarie St past Parliament House and onto Circular Quay" where I attended a brief rally!

I am loath to appear critical of Comrade Mark, however I felt I should respond to his letter on the basis that he states the march "was saved by 100 members of the FBEU". May Day as well as other significant working class celebrations and campaigns will never be saved by any single influence. Whilst I admire the actions of FBEU members on the day I fear the encroaching symptoms of undiagnosed "working class hero syndrome" are emerging in the mind of Comrade Mark.

I enjoy May Day as a day to celebrate my pride in my culture (union), my class (working) and my achievements (largely collective in nature). Thank you Comrade Mark for reminding me about capitalist tyranny and my responsibility to honour fallen comrades - thank you also for marching on May Day.

Sharny Chalmers

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Issue 96 contents

Interview: The Enabler
On the eve of the release of his latest book, Beazley�s brain on the back-bench, Mark Latham, talks about putting the social back into socialism.

Unions: Flogged To Death
One third of Australian workers now work in conditions that would be deemed illegal in Europe. While in our workplaces so much is being done by so few with so little the Howard Government leans on its shovel reports Noel Hester.

Corporate: Nike's Six Broken Promises
A new international report on the labour practices at Nike have placed their stated commitment to ethical employment under the microscope.

International: Jagath at the Solidarity Cafe
When the brave workers at the Shangri-La Hotel in Jakarta marched on May Day, a Sydney unionist was by their side.

Education: The Battle for Free Thought
The recent sacking of Dr Ted Steele at the University of Wollongong has focused attention on the need for vigilant defence of employment rights and academic freedom.

History: Federation and Labour
The labour movement�s role in the 1897 Federal Convention and the subsequent referenda process has been largely forgotten.

Satire: Addict Stops Using Smack After Talk With Parents
A 21-year-old heroin addict has agreed to give up his habit after his parents told him that using drugs was wrong.

Review: Rouge or Red?
Mark Hebblewhite argues that the new Baz Luhrmann blockbuster isn't without its class analysis.

» WorkCover: Della Should Split the Package

» HIH Workers Win Severance Guarantee

» Abbott Runs From OEA Failure

» Angry Musos Aim Riffs at Della

» Second Prize In The Arnott�s Sell-Out

» Banks Workers Opt for People Over Pay

» Bosses Raise Stakes in State Wage Case

» Refugee Riots Sparked By Strike Action

» Vodafone Promotes It�s Own

» Champion Workers Left With Nothing

» Bid for Reasonable Hours to AIRC

» Political Economy Courses at Sydney University

» Activist Notebook

» The Soapbox

» The Locker Room

» Trades Hall

» Tool Shed

» New Editorial Guidelines

» Letter to Canberra

» A Fowler Smell

» Who Saved May Day?

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