GEELONG — On February 24, 30 members of four trade unions attended an emergency meeting called to discuss a defence campaign for Craig Johnston, former Victorian secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union.
Johnston goes to trial in Melbourne on May 10 on charges arising out of a union picket at Johnson Tiles in 2002.
Tim Gooden, the Geelong Trades Hall assistant secretary, who convened the meeting, told Green Left Weekly: "Craig has helped a lot of workers over the years and improved working conditions for most. The loyalty shown at the meeting indicates workers will campaign to keep Craig out of jail for what we all see as politically motivated charges aimed at teaching a militant unionist a lesson."
The meeting resolved to help the Melbourne defence committee build a rally on the day of the court hearing. A delegation was elected to ask local state ALP MPs Peter Loney and Ian Trezise to express their concerns to the state Labor government about its perceived support for the prosecution of Johnston. Both MPs received the delegation at February 26.
Supporters of Johnston will meet again at Geelong Trades Hall, at 5pm on March 10 to begin implementing the defence campaign.
Public meetings are planned in other regional areas, such as Ballarat and the LaTrobe Valley to inform workers of the campaign and to build for the rally on May 10.
Sue Bull
Bus drivers meet over heat crisis
BRISBANE — On February 27, bus drivers held their second stop-work meeting for the week to express their anger at the heat stress suffered by drivers and passengers during weeks of record high temperatures.
The drivers, members of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU), voted to accept the Brisbane City Council's $88 million offer to deliver 200 new air-conditioned buses over the next four years, and to air-condition the old buses. Currently, less than one third of the council's 600-strong bus fleet is air-conditioned.
Other measures to be implemented include installation of air-conditioning in driver "smoko" areas, maximised usage of air-conditioned buses, and provision of water to drivers.
Coral Wynter, Socialist Alliance candidate for Central ward in the March 27 council elections, commented that "the airconditioning fiasco underlines the need for a complete overhaul of public transport policy and priorities in the city. We need an integrated plan to revolutionise the bus and train systems in Brisbane, as soon as possible."
Bill Mason
Public servants to strike
ADELAIDE — On February 24, a 2000-strong meeting of Public Service Association members voted to take strike action over their current enterprise bargaining claim. Rousing cheers and whistles greeted the motion.
The claim is for a 12% pay rise; 14 weeks' paid maternity leave (currently four weeks); more family-friendly working conditions; and a bargaining agent's fee of $750 to be charged to non-union members. The state government has already agreed to maintain its commitment to no forced redundancies.
PSA general secretary, Jan McMahon, congratulated members for sustaining industrial action across a wide range of public sector areas. Many of the bans are hitting the government coffers by denying revenue.
Speed camera operators have conducted rolling stoppages and refused to load film into the cameras; public health professionals are refusing to charge for pharmacy and diagnostic tests; housing workers are not collecting maintenance charges. Prison officers have also conducted several lock-downs, which reduce the non-parole period for prisoners.
Increased charges, especially soaring electricity costs, and significant pay rises for judges and politicians shored up the resolve of union members. There was a strong feeling that public servants make extensive sacrifices to deliver community outcomes, and deserve recognition.
Workplace meetings will be held to consider further action and work-site representatives will determine a date for the strike.
Melanie Sjoberg
From Green Left Weekly, March 3, 2004.
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