Ron Perkins, Perth
The Perth Convention Centre was filled on June 1 with one of the largest assemblies of trade union delegates since the fight-back against repressive industrial relations legislation in the mid-1990s under then-Coalition Premier Charles Court.
In response to the draconian IR legislation proposed by the federal Coalition government, 2000 delegates at the UnionsWA-organised meeting voted unanimously in favour of a campaign of action against the planned legislation and for a mass rally on June 30.
The meeting was boosted in size after the state government announced that public sector delegates would be granted time off work to attend. Caucuses of unions met before the official meeting and then assembled as contingents inside, creating a vibrant and purposeful atmosphere. Huge applause and cheering erupted as 250 members of the Maritime Union of Australia marched into the auditorium chanting "MUA here to stay!" and "The workers united will never be defeated!". After hearing a recorded message by Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Greg Combet, UnionsWA secretary Dave Robinson addressed delegates, declaring that industrial action and protest would be ongoing for the duration of the Coalition government's term. "There is no alternative to this fight, and fight we will!"
During the very limited 20 minutes allocated for discussion, calls for a fight-back, solidarity and action were common words used in an electric atmosphere filled with cheers and applause, as delegate after delegate got up to speak.
MUA delegate Sam Wainwright kicked off by saying workers needed to take inspiration from the victory of the MUA in the 1998 Patrick dispute, adding: "It's going to have to be wave after wave [of protest] that sinks Howard and his ship of fools."
A woman employed at a local call centre told the meeting: "It was very difficult for me to come here today ... but I had to come. We have to do something about our appalling ... working conditions. We must fight these laws. I have come here to support you. Will you support me?" Spontaneously, the entire gathering rose from their seats and stood shouting "we will!"
MUA WA state secretary Chris Cain said that if PM John Howard's government persisted with its agenda, the union movement needed to oppose it with all its weight. He added that the MUA would repay its thanks to the community for the support shown to the union in 1998 by working in solidarity with those attacked by the government this time around.
After the meeting adjourned, delegates marched into the city, stopping traffic and chanting noisily, to join a rally of union members from universities and TAFE colleges protesting against the Howard government's attacks on the higher education.
Such was the passion and enthusiasm of UnionsWA-called delegates' meeting, the June 2 West Australian ran the headline "Unions warn of general strike".
From Green Left Weekly, June 8, 2005.
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