Recent news
- Assembly stands up for building workers rights
- Save our posties
- Snap strike at Dandenong Letter Centre
- Boeing Dispute Ends
- Boeing strikers remain defiant
- Boeing Dispute Enters Wed 23
- Boeing Dispute Enters 3rd Week
- Boeing Workers Fri 18
- Managements Plans thwarted
- Boeing Workers Continue Strike
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Assembly stands up for building workers rights
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Friday 25th July 2008 saw 100 Union Solidarity activists from the Western suburbs shut down the CSR construction site, Lyell St Yarraville. Workers and their unions on this site have a range of longstanding issues.
CSR have employed a man named John Kint who has an extremely bad history of eliminating workers' and unions' democratic rights through the Howard years, notably at Port Campbell. Kint has now told workers on the CSR site that if they talk to a union organiser they will be docked four (4) hours. Clearly the same penalties do not apply to employers seeking to meet with their unions/associations! However Union Solidarity, as friends know, is less concerned with the issues than we are with the use of undemocratic laws against workers and their unions in the righteous pursuit of their interests. It is this central point around which Union Solidarity was formed and continues to protest: union activities are not criminal as current industrial law paints them, but are simply designed to insure that workers have the same rights as employer organisations in the pursuit of their interests. more on why Union Solidarity organises assemblies... Building workers without rights under the Building Construction Industry Improvement (sic) Act are not only disempowered in the pursuit of their immediate interests to a degree not experienced by other workers, and certainly not experienced at all by employers, but importantly for the us in the community, they are unable to play the historic role they have always played in defence of communities and the general good. It is crucial that we are even more outspoken in our opposition to laws that would silence the working class voice in this country, at this time of impending crisis. If CSR escalates the problems of building workers in Yarraville the community stands ready to build resistance to those moves. more info: Why Union Solidarity organises assemblies... | John Kint at Port Campbell | Kint pressuring OH&S rep Labels: Community Assemblies, Community Protest, CSR, Kint |
Save our posties
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Rally against attacks on full time jobs.
4pm Wed 25 June Australia Post Headquarters 321 Exhibition St, City As part of a grand restructuring process of mail delivery Australia Post intends to shut down three mail centres in the western suburbs of Melbourne. Not only will this mean a reduction of services in the western suburbs but an attack on working conditions of Australia Post employees. The proposed new "super centre" at Altona will be staffed by many Delivery Only (DODO's) posties who will only be allocated 4 hour shifts and received no penalty rates, a reduction of 15%. The posties union the CWU division of CEPU are requesting a that the wider union movement and the community show their support of decent services and full time employment. Please attend and proudly bring your union banners. Labels: Australia Post, Community Protest |
Snap strike at Dandenong Letter Centre
 Truck held up outside the letter centreThe strike began at 5.30pm yesterday, just before the 6pm shift began, with workers picketing the letter distribution centre on Nathan Road for several hours. Australia Post spokeswoman Nadine Lyford said a small amount of mail had been processed yesterday before the strike, but four million letters were halted and will not be delivered until Monday. The strike was in response to a move by Australia Post management to cancel penalty rates on three Sunday shifts on public holiday weekends next year when rostered days off fall on those Sundays. ...more | Source: The Age Labels: Australia Post, Community Assemblies, strikes |
Boeing Dispute Ends
 Workers at Boeing vote to return to work at a mass meeting, the open and democratic way to make decisions during industrial disputes. 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.  Union Solidarity coordinator Dave Kerin addressing a mass meeting at Boeing. He has now been ordered to appear before the Workplace Ombudsman 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 Cartoons | Boeing Archive | Boeing Workers Fundraising Concert | Return to work agreement Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes |
Boeing strikers remain defiant
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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 growingAs 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.
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?
Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes |
Boeing Dispute Enters Wed 23
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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
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.
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?
Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes |
Boeing Dispute Enters 3rd Week
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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
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:
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.
A concert is being organised to support the Boeing workers.
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?
Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes |
Boeing Workers Fri 18
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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?
Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes |
Managements Plans thwarted
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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?
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Boeing Workers Continue Strike
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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?
Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes |
Community Assembly at Boeing
Show of support for AMWU worker sacked - 500 on strikeCommunity AssemblyWharf 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 |
Community Assembly at Visy in Coburg
 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 |
Stop Qantas AWAs - Community Assembly
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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 |
Melbourne Rally Against NT intervention
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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 |
"Time to Rebel" - Eureka Rebellion Anniversary Rally 23 November 2007
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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 |
Stop the repression in Pakistan
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Extracts from speeches made at a rally held in Melbourne at the old GPO building on Thursday 15 November, expressing solidarity with the people of Pakistan and calling for an end to Australian Government support for the Musharraf dictatorship ... There was a long list of speakers, including two who spoke in Spanish with an interpreter, so individual speeches are unavoidably truncated. source: www.engagemedia.org Background: General Pervez Musharraf has been President of Pakistan since he staged a military coup in October 1999. Musharraf’s government has been extremely repressive towards trade unions, left parties, human rights organizations and women. Musharraf has also been a key ally in the US wars against Afghanistan and Iraq. In order to avoid an expected ruling against his position as president from the Supreme Court, on 3 November 2007 General Musharraf imposed a State of Emergency throughout Pakistan and suspended the constitution. All meetings and rallies were banned, and opposition parties and trade union activists have been arrested. Lawyers, students and workers who have been protesting against the State of Emergency want:
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Community Assembly to Save Seafarers Jobs
 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 |
Successful Community Assembly outside Elliot Engineering
 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 to stand up to violent employer
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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 |
Preston Motors, strike over
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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 |
