ANU staff to strike
CANBERRA — Members of the National Tertiary Education Industry Union at the Australian National University voted on July 30 to begin rolling stoppages in response to the university management's move to sack 100 staff. The meeting condemned the federal government's education cuts and ANU vice-chancellor Deane Terrell's management of the university.
The administration is planning 100 sackings, on top of 200 voluntary redundancies and an unknown number of contract freezes — far in excess of what is necessary to pay for Vanstone's cuts and fund pay rises. A series of 24-hour strikes will occur in all ANU workplaces from August 4 to 8.
Fiesta for Cuba
MELBOURNE — On July 26, 600 people packed the Brunswick Town Hall for a fiesta to celebrate the Cuban Revolution. The event was organised by the Cuba Solidarity Coalition which includes the Committee in Solidarity with Latin America and the Caribbean, Freedom Socialist Party, Democratic Socialist Party, Radical Women, the Chilean Popular and Indigenous Network, and the Green Team.
Proceeds went to three projects in Cuba: a Green Team permaculture project; a CISLAC project for women and the environment; and a feminist brigade to Cuba, jointly organised by Radical Women and the Federation of Cuban Women. Guests included the new Cuban consul, and entertainment was provided by Latino bands, with dancing by the Jalapeno Sisters Dance Group.
Meeting on native title
MELBOURNE — Sixty people attended a public meeting called by the Wills group of Defenders of Native Title on July 29. Greg James, Koori education officer with the Australian Education Union, said that Howard's 10-point plan will make Aborigines "voiceless" and will "tear the heart and soul from Aboriginal people, our culture and our relationship with mother earth".