BY SUE BOLTON
MELBOURNE — Thousands of Ansett workers and supporters demonstrated at major airports throughout Australia on September 21. By continuing to demonstrate, as well as turning up ready to work their shifts, the workers are refusing to do what Prime Minister John Howard wants them to do: go quietly.
Ansett workers at the Melbourne rally were joined by a large contingent of Qantas workers. Workers at the Holden vehicle plant as well as in the building and construction industry offered support.
From talking to many of the Ansett workers, it became clear why they consider the federal Coalition government's entitlement protection scheme a kick in the teeth. Many I spoke to had worked for Ansett for more than 20 years. The government's offer of eight weeks' redundancy pay is a tiny fraction of what they are owed.
When Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) national official Dave Oliver told the rally that "the taxpayer shouldn't be the one paying" for Ansett workers' entitlements through a $10 levy on all airline tickets, the crowd gave a big cheer. It was clear that Ansett workers thought that Ansett owner Air New Zealand should pay.
Australian Workers Union (AWU) Victorian secretary Bill Shorten pointed out that Howard is trying to divert responsibility for the Ansett collapse from the company and the government onto the workers. In a September 21 interview with Radio 3AW "shock jock" Neil Mitchell, Howard accused Ansett workers' industrial conditions as being "part of the problem" that caused the Ansett collapse. Howard said that Ansett workers had to accept the same conditions as Qantas and Virgin Blue workers if Ansett was to fly again.
During the demonstration, almost every person I approached agreed to sign a Socialist Alliance petition demanding the nationalisation of Ansett to save jobs and maintain essential airs service to regional centres.
When Air New Zealand took over Ansett, the workers were told that it was the only way to save jobs. Instead, Air New Zealand stripped the company of its assets and secretly sold them off. Many now realise that another private corporation that buys Ansett, or parts of it, would probably do the same. Government ownership is the only guarantee of jobs and essential services.
More than 500 Ansett employees rallied in Brisbane, reports Jim McIlroy. The chant of "Workers united will never be defeated", rang out across the Brisbane airport. They were united in demanding that they be allowed to return to work.
Transport Workers Union president Hughie Williams called for an enquiry into the financial mismanagement of Ansett. Scott Stanford, AMWU shop steward for Ansett mechanics, told the rally that workers were maintaining a 24-hour vigil at a hangar at the airport. "If Air New Zealand want their planes, they can come and get them!", he dared, to rousing cheers.
Alex Robinson from Perth told Green Left Weekly that a Unions WA organised rally in solidarity with the Ansett workers attracted 3000 unionists and supporters. The demonstration was outside Parliament House.
The crowd was addressed by Unions WA secretary Stephanie Mayman, WA Labor Premier Geoff Gallop, state Liberal opposition leader Colin Barnett (who was greeted with chants of "Barnett's a wanker") and federal opposition frontbencher Simon Crean. Workers from each Ansett section also spoke.
According to Scott White, a demonstration by 80 Ansett workers and family members in Darwin gathered at the airport. Union official Peter Hazeal told them that the resumption of services formerly provided by Ansett "are still in doubt for the foreseeable future".
Of the 10 planes Qantas has agreed to lease from Ansett, none are scheduled to fly to Darwin. Discount carrier Virgin Blue will not service Darwin until March.
Some Ansett staff handed out flyers with a picture of Osama bin Laden and Air New Zealand CEO Geoff Toomey. The caption read: "One of these men is wanted for using commercial airlines to destroy the lives of thousands of innocent victims as he continues his battle for world recognition and domination. The other is Osama bin Laden."