Dinner raises $1500
PERTH — Around 150 people gathered at the State School Teachers Union hall to attend the a dinner to raise funds for Green Left Weekly on August 24. Greetings were heard from SSTU organiser Michelle White, Socialist Alliance national executive member Chris Cain, Ian Bolas from the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union and Democratic Socialist Party nation executive member Peter Boyle. Guests danced to the Latin rhythms of Malembe and enjoyed a dance performance from Danza Loca. The evening was a huge success, raising $1550 for GLW. The next fundraiser will be an evening river cruise on November 30. Seats are limited; book on 9218 9608.
No war on Iraq!
CANBERRA — On August 26, a visit to the Australian National University by foreign minister Alexander Downer was greeted by 40 students opposed to the government's plan to join Washington's attack on Iraq. The protest was initiated by Socialist Alternative and supported by Resistance.
Pilger film boosts 'safe haven' campaign
CANBERRA — On August 29, 50 students at ANU viewed John Pilger's devastating and moving documentary Paying the Price: Killing the Children of Iraq. The screening was organised at short notice by the ANU Resistance Club. In the following discussion, it was pointed out that a large number of asylum seekers in Australian had escaped from Iraq. Students were urged to join the refugees' rights movement and campaign for ANU to be a "Refugee Safe Haven".
Trade union seminar
WOLLONGONG — Twenty five people attended a Socialist Alliance seminar on August 24 to discuss a way forward for the trade union movement.
Community and Public Service Union organiser Naomi Arrowsmith discussed how to unionise the non-union work places such as call centres with featuring at the seminar.
Stuart Martin from the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and the Socialist Alliance stressed the need for socialists to defend the militant Victorian branch of the AMWU in the face of growing attacks by employers and the national leadership of that union. He pointed to the rise of industrial action by unions in Victoria as the reason for the attacks.
From Green Left Weekly, September 4, 2002.
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