WA TLC dithers as attacks mount
By Geoff Spencer
PERTH — A motion for a Trades and Labor Council-endorsed day of action involving a stop-work meeting and rally on June 17 was defeated 51 votes to 31 after a sharp debate at the TLC meeting on May 18. June 17 is the day parliament opens.
The emergency motion, moved by Peter Quinn, the state secretary of the State School Teachers Union, sought to focus the opposition to the across-the-board cuts already being implemented by the Court Liberal government.
A meeting of shop stewards of unions covering workers in the state government sector had already been called by the TLC for May 29.
Speakers in favour of Quinn's motion concentrated heavily on the need for solidarity. Many referred to the sentiment of Pastor Niemller's 1944 poem: if we don't speak for those being attacked now, who will be left to speak when our turn comes?
It was stressed that no union would be exempt from government attacks.
Speakers supporting the motion included Tony Borger, the general secretary of the WA Railway Officers' Union and Bill Ethel from the CFMEU.
Earlier the meeting had heard that another 77 workers had been made unemployed with the closure of Homeswest's maintenance section. Homeswest is the state housing commission body.
TLC secretary Rob Meecham and assistant secretary Tony Cooke opposed the motion in the name of democracy and the need for unions to consult their members over any action.
The TLC leaders intimated that they wanted to delay action until later in the parliamentary session.
How unfamiliar the TLC leadership is with organising mass action was indicated when arts officer Ric McCracken indicated there were practical difficulties with organising the meeting at such short notice — this was over a month away.
In a separate report, Tony Cooke indicated the TLC had little funds left "due to heavy expenditures" helping Labor in state and federal elections.
A decision over any action has been left in the hands of the executive. Their next meeting is set for June 8.