Union members support sector-wide campaign
The Family and Community Services section council of the Community and Public Sector Union passed a motion on November 4 calling for a union campaign for a public service-wide agreement on pay and conditions. The motion argued: "Agency-by-agency bargaining, where each department must draw up its own agreement, instead of a service-wide agreement, has weakened our ability to achieve the best outcomes".
The section council called on the CPSU's national management committee and national executive to consider such a campaign, noting: "The first step in such a campaign would be a commitment to argue that, in the next round of agreements, all agreements terminate at the same time, approximately".
ASIET launches branch in Wollongong
WOLLONGONG — Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor launched a branch here on November 4. Activists met to discuss future events, including the Wollongong component of the national "People's Inquiry" into Australian governments' complicity in genocide in East Timor.
More local sponsors of the People's Inquiry are being sought; retired trade unionist Fred Moore and Dr Margaret Perrott have confirmed their sponsorship. The meeting agreed to work towards holding a public meeting for the inquiry around International Human Rights Day, December 10.
Participants at the inaugural meeting also heard a report on the situation in East Timor, Indonesia and Aceh, and discussed the role of Australian foreign policy, past and present. To get involved, phone ASIET on 4226 2010.
IWD 2000 organising kicks off
HOBART — The Hobart International Women's Day collective held its first meeting on November 10 to organise political activities for IWD 2000.
The issues raised as potential demands for the march included ending sexual assault and increasing funding for sexual assault services, opposing the federal government's anti-women, anti-worker industrial relations legislation, and greater funding for child-care services. There was also a lively discussion about feminist perspectives on prostitution.
Further meetings will be held at 6pm on November 24 and December 8, at the Women's Health Centre, 326 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart. For more information, phone Kamala on 6234 6397, or Annica on 6231 5627.