Picket Reiths lunch with big business
MELBOURNE — On July 18, the Financial Review is hosting a luncheon for the minister for industrial relations, Peter Reith, to discuss the Howard governments new industrial legislation with representatives of big business. As part of the campaign against the attacks on apprentices and trainee wages, Resistance is holding a picket at the luncheon at 11.30am, the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Russell St.
There will also be a forum on the topic of youth wages and conditions, organised by Trades Hall and the Victorian TAFE Students and Apprentices Network on July 18 at 6.30pm, Victorian Trades Hall Council Chambers, 52 Victoria St, Carlton South. For more information phone Resistance on 9329 1320.
Aboriginal vigil
SYDNEY — The National Aboriginal History and Heritage Council held a vigil on July 12 outside the Cyprus Hellene Club in Elizabeth Street, site of the 1938 "Day of Mourning", placing an Aboriginal permanent conservation order on the site. The order includes a call for the NSW government to recognise the heritage value of the site, after stalling for 18 months on a report recommending conservation.
Illawarra plans for August 19
WOLLONGONG — A meeting of the Trade Union and Community Coalition Against the Cuts on July 4 planned the next step in the campaign to defeat the Howard governments cuts. The August 19 protest rally in Canberra is the focus, with an attendance of more than 2000 people expected from the Illawarra region. Trains and buses are being arranged to get people to Canberra. All groups involved are aiming to build the rally as big as possible in the community and in workplaces, where a district-wide strike is proposed
Outworkers campaign
MELBOURNE — On June 28, outworkers, the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia (TCFUA) and supporters held a protest against Westco in support of the outworkers' rights to award conditions. The demonstration, in Bourke Street mall, was prompted by a case, brought before the Senate inquiry into outworkers, in which a woman, known as Mai, had not been paid for work to the value of $3500.
Annie Delaney of the TCFUA told Green Left Weekly, "It's incredible that the
company can afford to pay for advertisements on TV but cannot afford to pay the outworker the money owed her".
Racists not welcome
ADELAIDE — The racist Anti-Asian group, National Action, held a picket outside Garuda Airlines on July 13 calling on the Indonesian regime to get out of East Timor. This was met by an angry counter-demonstration saying that National Action is not a legitimate solidarity organisation. Resistance activist Shane McArthur said, "It is a cynical move to jump on the bandwagon of popular struggle in pushing their anti-Asian line". The counter-rally also called for support for the August 24-25 national day of solidarity with East Timor.
TAFE students against slave wages
PERTH — TAFE students and supporters have initiated a campaign called "TAFE students against slave wages" with the aim of organising TAFE students to defend their basic wages and conditions against the Howard government's proposals to slash trainee and apprentice wages. The first campaign meeting will be held on July 23 at 6pm at Perth City TAFE. For details phone Tom Hagan on 245 1757 or 227 7367.
Actions against education cuts
National Tertiary Education and Industry Union members will hold actions around the country on August 7 to further their claim for a 15% pay rise and protest against the Howard government's proposed cuts to education. Many branches of the NTEU have already voted to strike on August 7, with others meeting to decide on strike action later this week.
Burma solidarity
CANBERRA — On July 7, a memorial service was held outside the Burmese embassy to mark the anniversary of the July 7, 1962, crushing of student demonstrations against the military coup of General Ne Win. The service marked the beginning of a series of demonstrations outside the embassy, to culminate in a rally on August 8 when interstate activists will come to Canberra to show their support for the pro-democracy movement in Burma.