James Vassilopoulos, Melbourne
A meeting of 1700 union delegates on September 7 voted unanimously for a "mass mobilisation of Victorian workers" on the national community day of protest on November 15. The meeting was organised by the Victorian Trades Hall Council (VTHC) to update workers about the campaign against the Howard government's industrial relations attacks.
The meeting was about 25% larger than the previous delegates' meeting on March 23, with large contingents from the Construction, Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), and the Electrical Trades Union. The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union also had a sizeable contingent.
Delegates from the Australian Education Union, maritime union, Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union, meatworkers' union, Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), and Health Services Union also attended. There was also a strong delegation of 50 from Geelong.
Brian Boyd, secretary of the VTHC, argued that the fight against the government's attacks "will be for a minimum two to three years" and needs to be "disciplined and calm". We need to go onto the streets, but also "face up to the fact that we won't stop the legislation", he said.
ACTU secretary Greg Combet, too, argued that the bill will get through parliament, adding that this is the biggest attack on workers since colonisation and that the union movement should wage the "strongest and toughest fight since colonisation". He said the campaign needed all union members involved, and that it starts on the job. It must involve industrial, political, marginal seats and community coalitions, he said, adding that with community support the industrial relations laws can be rescinded through political campaigns.
Combet called on the delegates to make a 2-5 year commitment. This is not too long when workers in other countries have fought against dictatorships for many decades, he said.
Combet also said that the ACTU aimed to raise $20 million, from workers contributing two payments of $5.50 each, to pay for an advertising campaign over the two years in the lead-up to the next federal election.
A resolution was put by Boyd and seconded by Tim Gooden, secretary of the Geelong and Regions Trades and Labor Council, calling for a "mass mobilisation" of Victorian workers and supporters on November 15, and supporting the organisation of more public worker-community suburban and regional meetings.
An amendment moved by Australian Education Union delegate Norrian Rundle to oppose individual contracts and demand that the ALP and Kim Beazley call for the abolition of individual contracts was accepted by Boyd. A further amendment moved by Gooden, calling for mass delegates' meetings to be held when unionists are prosecuted or an individual union is attacked, was also accepted by Boyd, as was an amendment moved by CPSU delegate Alison Thorne, that unions would oppose the government's attacks on welfare.
The possibility of organising a general strike as part of the campaign was raised in discussion, but not voted on.
On the same day as the Victorian delegates' meeting, the Senate passed the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Bill. Under this draconian bill, building workers and unionists lose the right to silence and will suffer mandatory jailing of up to six months if they do not comply. Workers participating in stop work actions over health and safety issues in the industry could be fined up to $22,000.
Victorian CFMEU construction division secretary Martin Kingham told the delegates' meeting that the bill aims to destroy the construction unions, and if they are defeated all unions would be badly affected. To defeat Howard's attacks, a "political and industrial campaign" is needed, he said.
A motion to stand by all building unions and call on the ALP to repeal the government's construction industry bill was passed unanimously.
Karen Coles from Bendigo explained to delegates that the government's planned industrial relations changes are likely to create unemployment in country areas. Lower wages would give workers less money to spend in their local community and local businesses would cut jobs in response.
Two Department of Workplace and Employment Relations workers also addressed the meeting, describing their union campaign to get a union agreement. A TAFE sector delegate and a firefighter also spoke.
In Melbourne on November 15, a Sky Channel hook up will begin at 9am, then at 10am there will be a march up Swanston Street, to arrive at Treasury Gardens at 11am for speakers and entertainment.
From Green Left Weekly, September 14, 2005.
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