The strike at Boeing's Fishermans Bend plant ended last night (Sun 27 April) with a vote to return work. For nearly three weeks workers stood up to massive legal threats and company lies while showing solidarity with a worker who was unfairly dismissed.

The return to work agreement saw Boeing lift all legal threats against workers. Boeing had previously demanded that legal threats amounting to 10 of million of dollars would remain over the workers head for the life of the current EBA. In other words go on strike again immediately cop 10 of millions in damages.

Throughout the dispute Boeing attempted to turn rank and file workers against their union and their delegates. Boeing proved they weren't above defaming their own employees and even created a special website to try and threaten, intimate and confuse striking workers. However time and time again strikers voted in open democratic mass meetings to continue the dispute.

Congratulations to Boeing workers for the stand you took during the dispute your example should serve as inspiration. Union Solidarity would like to thank all those who showed support during the dispute.

During the dispute workers at Boeing received support from many unionists and community activists. [see messages of support]

Please note that the planned Boeing Family Day Concert set the this Saturday (May 3) has been postponed)

ps. Boeing have now removed the most of the content of their dispute website but a cached version can be found here.

More info: Boeing Support Leaflet | Boeing Archive | Boeing Workers Fundraising Concert | Return to work agreement

Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes

Community Assembly
Wharf Road
Fishermens Bend
(Off Todd Rd - Melways E12)
Public Transport 235, 237 or 606 Bus
Download and print support leaflet | Boeing Workers Fundraising Concert | Support Poster

Fri 25 April:
Quick Update

• Support for strike growing
  
• Boeing's legal threats softening?
• Workers vote to continue strike
  
• Solidarity concert for workers Sat May 3.
• Another legal development
  

Support for strike growing
As news spreads of the Boeing workers struggle support for the strikers continues to build. A number of workplaces have held meetings and taken up collections. Delegates from various unions including the AWU have attended the assembly. Donations of food, wood and most importantly money continue to come in.

Boeing legal threats softening?
Boeing are now publicly saying that if there is a return to work then they will drop all pending legal action against employees. Previously Boeing stated that even if workers returned to work the threat of legal action would remain for the life of the EBA. This a shift but Boeing are still using the bullying tactics of legal treats to try and force workers back to work rather than negotiate in good faith. (Boeing website | legal situation)

Workers vote to continue strike.
Striking workers rejected a company return to work proposals on Wednesday and again on Thursday. Two major striking points remain. One the process and the unfairness of the original sacking. Two a concern that Boeing will victimise strikers when work resumes.

Solidarity Concert for Boeing workers.
A concert is being organised to support the Boeing workers.

• 11am Saturday May 3 at the Wharf Road Community Assembly

Worrying development.
Union Solidarity coordinator Dave Kerin was served with an an order by the Workplace Ombudsman to produce Union Solidarity documents relating to the Boeing dispute by the 8th of May. If Dave fails to comply he faces up to 6 months in prison. We wish to make it clear that we will continue to throw all of our support behind the Boeing workers. [Notice to produce documents]

Background:
The dispute started on Monday April 7 when Boeing sacked a worker and suspended another without going through the agreed dispute settlement procedure. Boeing then started legal moves which now see the workers potentially faces fines under the existing Workchoices legislation. more background

How can I support the strike?

• Attend the 24hour community assembly
• Organise fund raising for the strikers
  
• Download and print support leaflet
• Send messages of support to boeingdispute@unionsolidarity.org
  
• Join the SMS alert list to be informed of mobilisations

More info: Boeing Support Leaflet | Boeing Archive | Boeing Workers Fundraising Concert | Support Poster

Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes

Community Assembly
Wharf Road
Fishermens Bend
(Off Todd Rd - Melways E12)
Public Transport 235, 237 or 606 Bus
Download and print support leaflet | Boeing Workers Fundraising Concert | Support Poster

Wed 23 April:
Quick Update

• BBQ at Community Assembly Thurs 24 April 12noon
  
• Boeing's legal deadline for return to work passes
• Boeing starting to move?
  
• Solidarity concert for workers.
  

BBQ
A BBQ for the Boeing Workers and supporters will be held tomorrow Thurs 24 April at 12noon on the assembly on Wharf Rd. Please come along and show your support, donations welcome.

Some movement by Boeing?
Boeing rejected the Sat April 19 "Proposed Settlement Agreement" by stating that they would not negotiate while the strike continues and continuing to insist they would pursue legal action. Today Boeing management held discussions with delegates and proposed a settlement. The details of the settlement will be examined carefully and discussed at the workers mass meeting tomorrow.

Solidarity Concert for Boeing workers.
A concert is being organised to support the Boeing workers.

• 11am Sunday May 3 at the Wharf Road Community Assembly

Background:
The dispute started on Monday April 7 when Boeing sacked a worker and suspended another without going through the agreed dispute settlement procedure. Boeing then started legal moves which now see the workers potentially faces fines under the existing Workchoices legislation. more background

How can I support the strike?

• Attend the 24hour community assembly
• Organise fund raising for the strikers
  
• Download and print support leaflet
• Send messages of support to boeingdispute@unionsolidarity.org
  
• Join the SMS alert list to be informed of mobilisations

More info: Boeing Support Leaflet | Boeing Archive

Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes

Community Assembly
Wharf Road
Fishermens Bend
(Off Todd Rd - Melways E12)
Public Transport 235, 237 or 606 Bus
Download and print support leaflet | Boeing Workers Fundraising Concert | Support Poster

Mon 21 April:
Quick Update

• Mass meeting voted overwhelming to continue dispute
• Boeing rejects workers proposed settlement
• Boeing continues to threaten striking workers with legal action
• Solidarity concert for workers.
  

Today, April 21 a mass meeting at the community assembly voted to continue the strike. Reportedly only a handful of workers voted to return to work. Another mass meeting is scheduled for Tues 22 April.

Legal Treats
Boeing issued the following treat to employees today on their website.
"unless there is an immediate return to work, all legal avenues will have to be explored." more on legal situation

Proposed settlement rejected by Boeing
A mass meeting on Sat 19 April gave Boeing a way out of the dispute.
"Proposed Settlement Agreement" which in brief asked Boeing to:

• Drop all legal action
• Return the sacked worker to his position
• Let an independent arbitrator investigate allegations made against the sacked worker and other employees

This was a more than reasonable that would have seen a resolution to the dispute, Boeing rejected it.

Another Agenda?
It's hard to believe that Boeing want to fix this dispute. What's become clear is an intention by Boeing to break the will of the workers and have them return to work divided and with legal threats hanging over their head.

"If employees return to work and stay at work through the life of the current EBA, all legal proceedings, against all working employees, will be dropped." [letter of intent April 17]

If Boeing was successful in getting a return to work on that basis then they would have a free hand in radically forcing any change they want. Workers would not be in a position to defend themselves for fear of immediately being liable for millions of dollars in damages. How secure would any EBA be under those conditions?

Support Required:
Union Solidarity urges its supporters to attend the community assembly over the next week. We urge supporters to put their name down for one of the following times.

• 5am – 1pm | 1pm – 9pm | 9pm – 5am or drop when you can.

Solidarity Concert for Boeing workers.
A concert is being organised to support the Boeing workers.

• 11am Sunday May 3 at the Wharf Road Community Assembly

Background:
The dispute started on Monday April 7 when Boeing sacked a worker and suspended another without going through the agreed dispute settlement procedure. Boeing then started legal moves which now see the workers potentially faces fines under the existing Workchoices legislation. more background

How can I support the strike?

• Attend the 24hour community assembly
• Organise fund raising for the strikers
  
• Download and print support leaflet
• Send messages of support to boeingdispute@unionsolidarity.org
  
• Join the SMS alert list to be informed of mobilisations

More info: Boeing Support Leaflet | Boeing Workers Fundraising Concert | Support Poster

Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes

Community Assembly
Wharf Road
Fishermens Bend
(Off Todd Rd - Melways E12)
Public Transport 235, 237 or 606 Bus
Download and print support leaflet

Fri 18 April:
Battle of the meetings
Yesterday (April 17) Boeing in a fairly transparent effort to affect a return to work organised a meeting of employees at Docklands. At most 200 turned up. Boeing promised to drop all legal action but only if they returned to work immediately and turn their backs on the union and delegates. (see Boeing website)

Boeing attempted to organise a meeting inside the plant at 8am this morning. Workers instead attended an assembly meeting at 7am and resolved to attend another mass meeting Sat April 19 at the picket.

During the assembly meeting Boeing attempted to dismantle one of the picket lines and organised a bus load of contractors to commence work. When the contractors saw the picket line however they refused to enter.

Support Required:
Union Solidarity urges its supporters to attend the picket tonight (Fri 18) and over the weekend.

Background:
The dispute started on Monday April 7 when Boeing sacked a worker and suspended another without going through the agreed dispute settlement procedure. Workers believe that another 8 workers face a similar fate. Efforts to the resolve the dispute failed on Wednesday April 9 workers walked off the job. Boeing then started legal moves which now see the workers potentially faces fines. more background

How can I support the strike?

• Attend the 24hour community assembly
• Organise fund raising for the strikers
  
• Download and print support leaflet
• Send messages of support to contact@unionsolidarity.org
  
• Join the SMS alert list to be informed of mobilisations

More info: Boeing Support Leaflet | Boeing Archive

Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes

Community Assembly
6am Thur 17 April
Wharf Road
Fishermens Bend
(Off Todd Rd - Melways E12)
Public Transport 235, 237 or 606 Bus
Download and print support leaflet

Wed 16 April:
Management's plan thwarted
A mass meeting this morning of 500 Boeing workers and supporters at 6am prevented efforts to break the picket line. It was rumored that strike breakers in buses with assistance of police would bust through the picket at 6am and 2pm, however nothing eventuated.

Mass meeting tomorrow
Boeing workers will be attending a mass meeting at 6am and it is requested that supporters are present to assist with picketing.

Serious Support Coming
Given the gravity of the situation with 700 strikers potential facing fines and no end in sight it is anticipated that the dispute could continue for a while. Efforts are currently underway to organise funds to help the workers and provide material assistance to the picket. If you can assist with funds, food or picket support please let us know: contact@unionsolidarlity.org

Background:
The dispute started on Monday April 7 when Boeing sacked a worker and suspended another without going through the agreed dispute settlement procedure. Workers believe that another 8 workers face a similar fate. Efforts to the resolve the dispute failed on Wednesday April 9 workers walked off the job. Boeing then started legal moves which now see the workers potentially faces fines. more background

How can I support the strike?

• Attend the 24hour community assembly
• Organise fund raising for the strikers
  
• Download and print support leaflet
• Send messages of support to contact@unionsolidarity.org
  
• Join the SMS alert list to be informed of mobilisations

More info: Boeing Support Leaflet | Boeing Archive

Community Assembly
6am & 2pm Wed 16 April
Wharf Road
Fishermens Bend
(Off Todd Rd - Melways E12)
Public Transport 235, 237 or 606 Bus
Download and print support leaflet

Tue 15 April:
Boeing workers continue their strike action as the Federal Court has insisted on mediation between Boeing and AMWU to resolve the issue. A workers mass meeting yesterday (Mon 13 April) determined to continue the strike defying an Industrial Relations Commission order preventing all industrial action.

Over the weekend Union Solidarity was informed of plans to organise strike breakers. We strongly believe that buses containing strike breakers intend to break the picket on 6am and 2pm Wed 16 April. Union Solidarity has taken steps to mobilise our supporters to prevent this happening. We urge everyone to attend the Boeing picket.

Background:
The dispute started on Monday April 7 when Boeing sacked a worker and suspended another without going through the agreed dispute settlement procedure. Workers believe that another 8 workers face a similar fate. Efforts to the resolve the dispute failed with Boeing insisting they have a legal right under WorkChoices to do as they please. On Wednesday April 9 workers walked off the job. more background

How can I support the strike?

• Attend the 24hour community assembly
• Download and print support leaflet
• Send messages of support to contact@unionsolidarity.org
  
• Join the SMS alert list to be informed of mobilisations

More info: Boeing Support Leaflet | Past Actions at Boeing

Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes

Show of support for AMWU worker sacked - 500 on strike

Community Assembly
Wharf Road
Fishermens Bend
(Off Todd Rd - Melways E12)
Public Transport 235, 237 or 606 Bus

Thurs 10 April:
This week Boeing at Fishermans Bend (Melbourne) sacked an AMWU member unfairly. When fellow workers tried to organise a mass meeting Hawker De Havilland tried to prevent it by running to the Industrial Relations Commission seeking a 496s order. The IRC has issued an order preventing all industrial action but the workers are on strike in solidarity with their sacked colleague.

Over the weekend it is requested that supporters nominate to put themselves on the 24 hour picket roster by calling 0412 484 094 or attending the picket.

More info: 0412 484 094

Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes

A Community Assembly was held 20th March between 6am - 10am at Visy in Charles St, Coburg [Melbourne].

The action was in support an AWMU member who was unfairly dismissed by Visy. The community assemblies could escalate if Visy do not reinstate the sacked worker.

Labels: Community Assemblies

Show of support for workers sacked after refusing to sign AWA's

On Friday March 7 a successful community assembly of up to 150 union and community activists shut down Qantas Valet parking operations at Melbourne Airport.

The action took place from 6.00am in support of ASU members who were either forced on AWA's or sacked for refusing to sign.

Two thirds of the ASU's staff were reportedly sacked after refusing to sign AWA's that resulted in a huge loss of conditions compared to their collective agreement.

Jobs of 70 staff at Melbourne’s Qantas were put in jeopardy when a new contractor took over Valet parking on March 1. These staff, many who have worked at Qantas Valet Parking for up to 18 years, have been caught in an AWA trap.

The Australian Services Union highlighted the recent Qantas Valet Parking AWA dispute during its submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Workplace Relations Amendment (Transition to Forward with Fairness) Bill 2008. more...

latest info: www.asu.asn.au/media/airlines_qantas/

Labels: Qantas

Around 100 people marched against the Federal Government’s racist intervention into Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory on Sunday (Nov 18), calling for community autonomy and investment in Indigenous-determined, Indigenous-controlled solutions to poverty, health problems, and child abuse.

The protest, held at the GPO Building in Bourke St Mall, was part of a National Weekend of Action against the intervention, with demonstrations also occurring in Sydney, Brisbane, Alice Springs, Newcastle and Lismore.

Protestors walked the streets of the CBD, and sat down occupying an intersection for fifteen minutes, chanting ‘Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land’.

The removal of hard won land permits and of the CDEP program, together with mandatory welfare quarantines for everyone in the so-called “prescribed communities”, and the imposition of non-Aboriginal ‘business managers’ – much like the old ‘mission managers’ – makes clear the Coalition’s intention to remove Aboriginal land rights to make way for mining companies and corporate profits, undermine the independence and autonomy of Aboriginal communities, and is an attempt to threaten the very existence of these communities.

The only visible change in most communities has been the construction of new housing for government business managers. Many people are sceptical about allocation of promised funds, with 700 new public service jobs having been created and $88 million being spent to administer the welfare quarantine changes.

The weekend’s protests demanded the incoming federal government listen to Aboriginal people, stop wasting public money, improve services to families and children, build housing for Aboriginal people not public servants, and stop moving people out of paid work (CDEP) on to welfare (work for the dole). Protesters argued that the intervention is racist and called for removal of 'business managers', an end to welfare quarantines and restoration of the Racial Discrimination Act.

Speaker Robbie Thorpe connected the intervention into Northern Territory communities with the poverty and conditions of Aboriginal people all over Australia, and especially in Victoria.

‘The rate of child abuse is five time higher in Aboriginal communities in Victoria than anywhere else in Australia’, Robbie said, speaking at the Sunday rally. ‘So why isn’t anyone talking about doing something about that?

‘Our people are on the streets. The government is selling off our assets. Everyone keeps saying we’re dispossessed. We’re not dispossessed – we’re just dispersed, and displaced. This is our land. Sovereignty was never ceded.

‘Australia is the perpetrator of a heinous crime, and everyone living here are the beneficiaries. This is a crime of genocide.’

source: http://sydney.indymedia.org.au/story/melbourne-rally-against-nt-intervention

Labels: Alliance for Indigenous Self Determination

On the eve of the Federal election - which in the event saw an emphatic end to the Howard Government in Australia - unionists and others rallied at the State Library in protest at the Australian Building and Construction Commission’s banning of the Eureka flag from building sites on the pretext that it implied a pressure on workers to join a union - something denied by the unions...more

source: www.engagemedia.org

About 100 supporters assembled around 11am this morning (Tues 5 June), outside the CSR property on Lyell St, Yarraville, where the Ormiston is docked. The crew were notified during the morning that they were expected to bring the boat to Webb Dock at 3pm this afternoon. One of the workers said:

This morning’s community assembly was held in solidarity with the crew of the Ormiston, who expected to be told this afternoon that their boat is to be decommissioned, and replaced by a ship bearing foreign flags, crewed by foreign workers.

“We will probably have to strip her. Take everything off, all our personal effects, move out of our home away from home. 134 years of CSR on this coast, it’s now the end of an era.”

“The Howard government’s trying to get rid of Australian seafarers and Australian ships. Where’s it going to stop? It’s not going to stop until we stop it.”

Suspicions have been raised this week that another assault on the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and its members is underway. MUA Victorian Branch Secretary, Kevin Bracken, this morning told a community assembly that “we’re watching our work go bit by bit. It’s a fight we’ve got to have everywhere”.

Later this afternoon the Port of Melbourne stepped in, apparently worried that once docked the Ormiston may become a site of protest. It has denied the Ormiston a berth, and she is currently anchored at sea. A berth at Geelong or Sydney will be sought.

It is expected that further Community Assemblies will be held in support of MUA members in coming weeks.

more info: Extensive background | Successful fight in Port Kembla to keep MUA jobs | www.mua.org.au

Labels: Community Assemblies

About 60 supporters gathered outside Elliot Engineering* on Friday May 11 between 6 am and 12 noon. Delivery trucks were turned away by the peaceful Community Assembly.

* Elliot Engineering is part of a group of companies behind the outrageous lockout of union members in the La trobe Valley

48 workers from Mechanical Engineering Services have been locked out for 34 weeks from the Yallourn Workshop in the Latrobe Valley. According to Gippsland Trades & Labour Council, the company has used Howard’s Treacherous IR laws against these workers and is refusing to negotiate on a new enterprise agreement. [read more]

The peaceful community action was halted at midday when the police intervened on behalf of management to allow a truck to exit the premises. Numbers on the Community Assembly had dwindled by this point, making it difficult to maintain an effective presence.

more info: MEC La trobe Valley lockout | Donation Request Form | http://gippslandtlc.com.au | Report on employer violence at Elliot Engineering

Labels: Community Assemblies, MEC

Community Assembly
6am-2pm Friday
May 11
Elliot Engineering
176 Colchestar Rd Kilsyth

In response to the employer violence on the picket last Friday and in support of the workers in Latrobe Valley who have been locked out for 34 weeks a community assembly will be held outside Elliot Engineering in Kilsyth.

* Elliot Engineering is part of a group of companies behind the outrageous lockout of union members in the La trobe Valley

Union Solidarity will not be intimidated by thuggish behaviour of any employer. Police are in the process of laying charges against Elliot and possible civil laws suits are being considered.

We expect a much larger turn out this Friday and the safety of protesters will be guaranteed. The right to picket and protest by workers outside their employer’s premises is one of the few democratic rights left. It is vital that this right is protected. If this action is not possible either due to anti-union laws or physical violence by the employer then tyranny will reign.

Union Solidarity has been privileged over the past two years to stand shoulder to shoulder with workers on community assemblies. In many cases the picket or protest outside the workplace was the only thing standing in the way of their employers completely destroying hard won conditions.

Along the way those workers brave enough to strike in spite of anti-union laws, to picket regardless of legal threats and to seek wider union and community support actually found themselves on the winning side.

Up until now community assemblies that Union Solidarity have been involved in have mostly been non-violent and well organised. We have cooperated with the police and done our upmost to ensure the safety of everyone involved. For this record to remain intact we need greater numbers on pickets and assemblies.

If you are in a position to please attend the assembly on Friday and pass this message on.

Union Solidarity.

more info: MEC La trobe Valley lockout | Donation Request Form | http://gippslandtlc.com.au | Report on employer violence at Elliot Engineering

Labels: Community Assemblies, MEC

The month long dispute at Preston Motors is over. A breakthrought came on April 13 and NUW workers voted to return to work.

Lessons learnt
Yet again another employer has been forced to negotiate with the relevent union in dispute through community assemblies and wider support. Congratulation to the workers at Preston Motors who stuck together and were successful in achieving a much improved union EBA (Enterprise Bargaing Agreement). more. | NUW statement

Labels: Community Assemblies, Preston Motors, strikes

Community Assembly Shuts Deliveries
Coles Myer Distribution Centre
Union Rd, Somerton
(Melway 180 C9)

Download support leaflet

An unlucy day for Coles Myer on Friday 13 April at their distribution centre in Sommerton. A community assembly successfully stopped all deliveries in and out. The centre's deliveries were stopped from 6am until 10am.

Metal construction workers at the Coles Myer Distribution Centre in Somerton are currently staging a community protest for the right to work under the correct award. The workers were forced onto AWA's and have now resigned. Help them fight to get their jobs back under award conditions.

They are being ripped off. Furthermore and more importantly workers on site have also been disrespected and discriminated against, and health and safety has been appalling. Workers raising legitimate health and safety issues have been relocated and even dismissed.

Coles Myer, Schaefer and Busicom Solutions are seeking to take full advantage of the Howard Governments IR laws to undermine conditions that workers have fought for and achieved.

Some of the conditions lost
Less than $18.00 per hour as Casuals

• Less than the Australian Fair Pay Commission Standards
• No annual leave, sick or personal leave, long service leave compassionate leave or redundancy.

Ripped off on overtime payments

• First 3 hours – 1.4 times instead of time and a half
• After 3 hours – 1.8 times compared to the standard double time
• Sundays – 1.8 times not double time
• Public Holidays – 1.4 times not 2.5 times

Download support leaflet

Picket report Wednesday 11 April.

Overall a quiet day on the picket, management seems to have given up on trying to move anything through the picket expect for one incident with a confused truck driver. There was also a lack of the usual mouthing off by some of the security staff and sales reps. Signs, perhaps, that management has accepted the picket as a fact.

Word came down to the picket that Preston Motors approached the union and were seeking to start negotiating. There is no indication as this stage of how serious Preston Motors are to resolve the issue. Further updates to come…

Not much moving at Preston Motors


Clear Out Sale, not clearing much out

Labels: Community Assemblies, Preston Motors, strikes

Preston Motors
1551 Sydney Rd
Campbellfield
[Melways: F7, map 7]

Another successful community assembly took place this morning outside Preston Motors in Campbellfield (Thurs 5 April) as the company still refuses to negotiate with the union in good faith, management have even knocked back an offer by the AIRC (Australian Industrial Relations Commission) to intervene...more

More Support Needed
NUW Workers are entering into their fourth week in dispute over an EBA increase. They desperately require your support after Easter. While the community assemblies have been successful workers on the picket at night have reported being harassed. Bottles were thrown from passing cars and one picketer's car was damaged. We can only speculate whether Preston Motors is or is not behind this violence. A more substantial 24 hours presence will be in place starting from Tuesday 7am, April 10th. We are asking supporters to make themselves available for 2-4 hour shifts on the picket.

Desperate Move
In a desperate move today Preston Motors cut through their own electric fence to move parts via an access road along the Upfield railway line. Eyewitnesses report seeing a convoy exitting the yard swinging onto the narrow and rough unsealed road adjancent the Upfield rail line. Their is no traffic barrier between the track and the railway cutting and one of the trucks nearly tipped over close to the edge of the cutting, this poses a huge safety concern as suburban trains travel in both directions along the single line. Preston Motor's actions could have resulted in either the cancellation of train services or a serious accident. Pictures

Union members in rail were informed and train company Connex reportedly rang Preston Motors warning of legal action if vehicles moved along the road again.

Due to the safety issues involved Workcover are investigating the incident and have issued an order preventing Preston Motors using the route again. The Hume council are also looking into the incident.

Workers can win
Maybe today's action by Preston Motors is a sign that they are close to sitting down and negotiating with the union. One last roll of the dice before accepting the inevitable. Whether the workers can win will depend on how much support they received on the picket next week. Get Involved!

The Preston Motors Group has a range of dealerships throughout Melbourne.
Preston Motors Group Dealerships

Labels: Community Assemblies, Preston Motors