By Kamala Emanuel and Kim Linden
On July 31, hundreds of thousands of workers in Victoria and Newcastle took industrial action to protest against the Howard government's proposed industrial relations legislation.
In Newcastle, 2000 unionists and supporters packed into the Workers' Club in the largest workers' rights rally there in years. After hearing speakers, the meeting marched to Senator John Tierney's office to present a resolution condemning the IR legislation.
The metalworkers' union national secretary, Doug Cameron, condemned Howard's claim to have a mandate and his attempt to absolve employers of responsibility for training apprentices. The attack would mean significant wage cuts: from $174.50 to $122.50 per week for first year apprentices, from $228.50 to $177.50 for second years, and from $365.30 to $213.50 for fourth years.
Cameron noted that the industrial relations attacks were part of a broader class-based attack on health, education, the ABC and social services. He said the government's aim is to "Americanise" the Australian economy by creating a large pool of un- and under-employed workers to exert a downward pressure on wages.
NSW Labor Council industrial officer Gail Gregory blamed workers who voted for the Coalition and claimed that, while Howard had come to power with a "reform" agenda, the past 13 years under Labor had been the years of reform. She called on the Democrats to stop the IR legislation in the Senate.
The national president of the CFMEU's mining division, John Maitland, blamed the trade union movement's "complacency" and the ALP's "deafness" and "arrogance" for the return of the Coalition government. After outlining some of the implications of the proposed legislation, he called for the labour movement to rebuild itself for taking to the streets "if necessary".
ACTU president Jennie George outlined the impact of Reith's legislation on part-time and non-unionised workers. She warned that the ACTU would not support unions which previously had monopoly coverage rights if they weren't recruiting and organising workers.
A resolution condemning the government for its lies, and another rejecting the industrial relations legislation "in its current form" — leaving open the possibility of accepting amendments — were adopted. An amendment rejecting the legislation outright was prevented from being moved.
On the same day, more than 60,000 people rallied across Victoria to protest against the IR bill. Two hundred thousand Victorians took industrial action.
Estimates of the size of the Melbourne rally ranged from 25,000 to 50,000. Speakers included Victorian Trades Hall Council president Karen Batt, Community and Public Sector Union secretary Sue Mountford, Democrat Senator Lyn Allison, Trades Hall secretary Leigh Hubbard and union representatives from New Zealand and the USA.
Workers at Melbourne airport stopped work and held a 1000-strong rally which shut down the airport for two hours. Victorian teachers and members of the CPSU also struck, closing schools and government offices. After picketing offices in the morning, a 500-strong CPSU contingent marched to the rally.
A day later, Australia Post workers at the international mail centre took industrial action for being penalised for taking part in the protests the day before.
In Geelong, 5500 people rallied, and the Ford plant was closed. The rallies at La Trobe Valley attracted 2000 people; Bendigo, 1500; Ballarat, 2000; and Goulburn Valley, 400.
Newcastle Trades Hall Council is organising buses for the ACTU national stop-work on August 19. Phone (049) 29 1162.