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Assembly stands up for building workers rights

Assembly at CSR > Enlarge image 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

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

Preston Motor Struggle Continues

Preston Motors 1551 Sydney Rd Campbellfield [Melways: F7, map 7] Another successful community assembly took place on Thurs morning (22 March) with workers from a range of unions attending. The action was mostly free of incident apart from one deliberate attempt to drive a truck through the picket. Luckily no one was injured and the driver after being "politely" asked to move on did so. Over 30 workers working in the spare parts/stores section of Preston Motors began a strike on Tuesday, 13 March, over the company’s continued refusal to negotiate a fair wage increase...more. Further action is being planned to respond to the situation at Preston Motors. Worrying is the legal threats against picketers taking part protected industrial action. The Preston Motors Group has a range of dealerships throughout Melbourne. Preston Motors Group Dealerships more info: NUW- Unionists lend a hand at Preston Motors Labels: Community Protest, Preston Motors

International Women's Day

Hundreds of women and men rallied in Melbourne to celebrate International Women's Day. With speakers such as Sharan Burrows and Julia Gillard, what women wouldn't be proud of our achievements. Jane Cliffton did a fine job as MC and fun was had by all. Many of the speakers outlined the negative effect that the IR laws have had on women. It should also be noted that men also came out and supported women in the celebrations of the day. Labels: Community Protest

Rally to defend workers rights

Rally against Origin Energy and Woodside's - Port Shambles!!! 11.30am Friday 23 Feburary Origin Energy 360 Elizabeth St Melbourne download leaflet Armed with John Howard’s new anti-worker and anti-union IR legislation, Woodside - a multinational company that reported $1,107.4 million profit last year - has done the dirty on workers at its Port Campbell gas plant. They may claim the hiring and firing is done by sub-contractors but the evidence is clear - they are a ruthless anti-union and anti-safety company. Union members and OH&S reps have been sacked. Work has been given to non-union companies which has resulted in terrible safety standards. A non union EBA at Port Campbell means. Workers can be told when to take an RDO Workers can be told to work on a public holiday Licence allowance - SCRAPPED No regular weekly safety meetings with employees Correct classifications - SCRAPPED Living away from home allowance (LAHA) is compromised Issues with severance payments No lockdown weekends Background: Assembles & issues at Port Campbellport-shambles-flyerW.pdf Labels: Community Protest, Port Campbell

Solidarity protest with Palm Island community

12 noon Wednesday December 20 Queensland Travel centre 405 Bourke St Melbourne Justice for Mulrinji! Sack racist DPP! NO more Cover-ups! A coalition of community groups and individuals is organising a solidarity demonstration with the Palm Island community to protest the blatantly racist decision by the Queensland Director of Public Prosecutions not to charge Senior Sergeant Hurley for murdering Mulrunji an innocent indigenous man whilst in police custody. Labels: Community Protest

FairWear action puts pressure on Rich

As in previous years, the FairWear anti-sweatshop campaign took its Christmas sweat-free carols to town, visiting this year fashion retailer Rich, one of far too many who have so far refused to sign up to the Homeworkers Code of Practice. After a quick rehearsal in the Mall, the 'choir' made its way into the up-market shopping mall that has replaced the old Post Office in Melbourne's landmark GPO building and lined up in front of the fashion display for a rendering of modified version of three well-known carols, Jingle Bells, God Rest Ye Weary Laborers and the Twelve Days of Sweat Shopping. The performance was then repeated on the steps outside, much to the fascination of the crowds waiting to view the Myer windows. After the performance, members of the 'choir' handed out useful wallet-sized cards listing companies certified to use the NoSweatshop label on their Australian Made clothing. Visit the website for details: more info: www.fairwear.org.au | fairwear@fairwear.org.au | 9251 5270 Labels: Community Protest, FairWear

FairWear Christmas Carols

1pm Tuesday 19 December GPO Building Burke St Mall City (Melbourne). Church, community and union groups from across the denominations have been supportive of the FairWear campaign over many years. We plan to sing a few songs at a fashion shop that has been ‘more naughty than nice’ in relation to homeworkers. Our songs will be: The Twelve Days of Sweat Shopping; God Rest Ye Weary Labourers; and, Jingle Bells (with a twist). We would like to know if you could come along. The Carols will take less than one hour to do. more info: antony.mcmullen@vic.uca.org.au Labels: Community Protest, FairWear

FairWare action against top fashion labels

enlarge image The Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia (TCFUA) launched legal action against 11 clothing labels in the Federal Court in Melbourne. The union alleges the companies behind labels including Rich, Vicious Threads, TL Wood Australia and Frou Frou have breached laws designed to protect outworkers from being exploited. Protesters gathered outside court this morning, some wearing the names of the labels on sashes across their bodies and sipping champagne, while others stood behind them holding cardboard horses and placards reading "stop sweatshops"...more more info: Uniting Church FairWare Campaign | Textile Workers Union (TCFUA) Labels: Community Protest, FairWear

Unionists and community rally to defend rural post services

About 100 people rallied today (Friday 10 Oct) in Melbourne outside Australia Post headquarters in defence of rural post services. The rally including a healthly cross section of union movement, ALP members of parliment, rank and file workers, union secretaries, Labor Council secretaries, Sharan Borrows [ACTU] and community activists. Australia post have been transferring rural mail sorting jobs to Melbourne resulting in a loss of jobs and quality of service. Labels: Australia Post, Community Protest

Melbourne Protest Against Kevin Andrews

A noisy protest (Thurs 5 Oct) was organised outside the new headquarters of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission in Melbourne on Thursday. Federal IR Minister Kevin Andrews was attending a function to officially open the new building. Members of UNITE, the AMWU, CWU, MUA, ASU, ANF and the YUN joined community groups like Union Solidarity to give Kevin Andrews a rowdy reception. About 70 people gathered to hear impromptu speeches and let Andrews, and his big business mates, know that neither he nor his IR laws were welcome. In a typical cowardly fashion Andrews snuck in a back door to avoid having to face the noisy protest. more info: www.unite.org.au Labels: Community Protest

Rally in support of locked out NZ workers

Between 4-6pm today, Wednesday September 13th; outside the Safeway / Big W entrance corner of Lonsdale and Swanston Streets City 20 unionists (Union Solidarity, CFMEU, MUA, IWW and community activists (Socialists of all sorts!) combined in solidarity with the NZ 20+ days locked out 500 workers. ETU unionists marched down with flags and joined us at 5pm which was a great boost and they helped leaflet and talk to passers by. Well done to all who showed up and distributed a thousand leaflets ! more info: www.unite.org.au | www.shelfrespect.org Labels: Community Protest

Library Workers Rally

Monday 8am August 28 Crn Pascoes Vale Rd & Kellerway Moonee Ponds send a protest email WorkChoices Moonee Vally style! Library workers are management's latest target at Moonee Valley City Council. CEO Peter Black and Ed Small are attacking existing conditions for new library staff. Management are going after library workers 35 hour week. The 35 hour week compensates staff for working evenings and Saturday mornings without penalty rates. Council are employing new staff on a 38 hour week and plan to work them outside the normal spread of hours without penalty rates! more info: ASU Organisers, Michelle Jackson 0418 539 054 or Rebecca Coyle 0419 508 262 | protest email Labels: Community Protest, Library Workers

150 attend Spotlight protest

On Saturaday July 22 150 members of the community attended a rally protesting Spotlight's threatment of their workforce. The rally outside Spotlight's Bayswater store was organised by Eastern Community Action Group. more info: rally leaftlet | Eastern Community Action Group | list of other Spolight stores Labels: Community Protest

Successful rally outside ABCC hearings

On Monday 24 South West Community Solidarity organised a successful community outside the ABCC hearing in Portland. Around 60 members of the community assembled to show solidarity to the union members being "interviewed" by the ABCC. The following day another assembly was organised attracting up to 20 people. Given the conservative nature of the electorate this is an amazing result, congratulations to all who participated. more info: South West Community Solidarity | Rally outside of ABCC hearing in Portland Labels: Community Protest, IR Laws

Community claims victory in Save Sunshine Pool campaign.

In a dramatic week of community and union action residents of Sunshine may have forced the State Government and their local council to repair an existing 50-meter outdoor pool or build a new outdoor pool. Campaigners in the Save Sunshine Pool Community Committee are optimistic that as a result of a union supported community picket decent outdoor aquatic facilities are in finally coming to Sunshine. The local Brimbank council have played hardball with the popular community demand that the existing outdoor pool at the Sunshine Leisure Centre be repaired. Instead the council promoted improving indoor aquatic facilities and filling in the outdoor pools. On Tuesday 11 July the council tried to blackmail the community by refusing to improve any facilities and in fact directed that the Sunshine Leisure Centre close! After much furious lobbying between unions, local and the state government a way out of the impasse was negotiated. Stage 1 (improving the indoor facilities) would proceed, the community picket would be lifted and a mechanism to improve the outdoor facilities was outlined. On Thurs July 13 the motion to close the leisure centre was reversed. more info: Save Sunshine Pool Website | motions at last Stand rally Labels: Community Protest, Sunshine Pool

Rally outside of ABCC hearing in Portland

12.30pm sharp! Mon 24 July and Tues 25 July Portland Court House Cliff St, Portland The Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) with all the subtly of the Spanish Inquisition is rolling into Portland. Two union members are going to be "interviewed" by the ABCC (AWU and AMWU). Under the act the ABCC has the power to compel unionists to give evidence with no right of silence or protection against self-incrimination. It is an offence to disclose the contents of the examination and failure to comply with the ABCC can result in a 6 months jail term. Henry Lawson famously wrote "when a man is jailed for striking it's a rich man's country yet". In John Howard's Australia we can add "when a worker is jailed for talking it's a rich man's country still". We must protest against this fundamental attack on our human rights. more info: Mark 0427 013 186 | South West Community Solidarity | What's wrong with the ABCC | CFMEU Pocket guide to the ABCC | ABCC compliance orders Labels: Community Protest

Support CFMEU members facing huge fines

URGENT ACTION NEEDED Please send urgent messages of solidarity to the Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Union of Western Australia. jmellor@cfmeuwa.com. 107 rank and file members of CFMEU working on the Perth to Mandurah rail project face individual fines of up $28 000 for taking strike action in February this year. Another 323 workers could face similar fines. Court proceedings are expected to begin on August 12th. more Labels: Community Protest, IR Laws

CEPU protest rally outside Telstra headquarter

Rally outside Telstra’s corporate headquarters 12 Noon on Thursday 13th July 2006 crn Exhibition & Lonsdale Sts Melbourne Please come along, bring your banners and help us protest against Telstra Management and Howard’s way! Telstra Management has notified several hundred employees they are being made redundant. This is not new in a company that has laid off over 50,000 workers since 1996. What is new is that they intend to get rid of award workers on good wages and conditions and replace them with workers on individual contracts on about $11,000 a year less, with no 36 hour week and 9 day fortnight, and other poor conditions. more info: Len Cooper CEPU Branch Secretary Labels: Community Protest

Call to action: Lufthansa’s Global Tele Sales uses IR laws to cut wages

Call centre workers at Global Tele Sales (GTS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Lufthansa Airlines, have been offered individual contracts (known as AWAs) under the new federal industrial relations laws that slash their existing wages and conditions. The call centre employs 80 people in Melbourne and is part of the Lufthansa multi-billion dollar network worldwide. Despite having a collective agreement that does not expire until December 2006, the Company has offered this substandard deal. more... Send a protest email more info: Ingrid Stitt (ASU) 9320 6700 | 0418 357 440 Global Tele Sales uses laws to cut wages | newsletter Labels: Community Protest

Nation wide action against IR laws

Successful Rallies Protests have taken place around Australia against the Federal Government’s Industrial Relations Laws. Workers, unionists, church groups and community members rallied to highlight the devastating impact the new laws are having in weakening workers bargaining positions, and stripping them of hard fought rights. more.. What's the next step? The education campaign against WorkChoices has been extremely successful. Union Solidarity are urging supporters to get active in your local area. The great work of mobilising and educating the community needs to continue. More Reports Victorian Trades Hall: Gallery 1 | Gallery 2 Indymedia: Images 1 | 2 | 3 Reports: Perth | Sydney Regional Centres: Geelong | Wodonga | Newcastle workers march on Spotlight Labels: Community Protest, IR Laws

Save Spirit of Tasmania III

Hello here are some images from our ongoing rally to protest the sale of Spirit of Tasmania III the Sydney to Devonport Service. Those at the rally are mainly young casuals who live and work in Northern Tasmania. We made our own placards during our downtime on the ship. The delegates are delivering the petitions to Richard Colebeck our local Senator. Thousands of passengers and locals signed our petition. We protest every week and get on the local TV and in the Tassie newspapers. If you want to join in then drop into the MUA office in Devonport and ask for details. SPIRIT III Crew more info: Spirit III sold Labels: Community Protest

Keep the pressure on Spotlight

Workers at Spotlight will be given a pay increase of just two cents an hour in exchange for losing entitlements like penalty rates, rest breaks and overtime. The Australian-owned chain of fabric and homewares stores employs 6000 workers and rakes in over $600 million a year. But new staff will lose up to $90 a week under the terms of Spotlight’s new AWA individual contracts. Support the Spotlight staff. Tell Spotlight's owners Morry Fraid and Ruben Fried how you feel about their company's actions. more Send a message to Spotlight owner | Bayswater action outside Spotlight | list of Spolight stores Labels: Community Protest

EMERGENCY ACTION to defend sacked shop steward

Rally at Johnson Park Geelong 4pm Monday June 3 March on Kempe Offices Kempes, a well known Geelong Employer, has sacked another shop steward (the third in 3 years). We must stand up and show solidarity with union activists fighting this company. Kempes are a South African company and in the words of one South African born union member "they made there millions when the black people of South Africa were treated as slaves and would not mind if that was the situation here" Don't let our union members be intimidated out of standing up for better working conditions. We have to defend our shop stewards. See you there.... more info: John Cameron | camonjo@aapt.net.au | 0414 289 584 | report of demo Labels: Community Protest

Oakleigh NUW EB fight

SKF members maintain campaign for union agreement Monday June 26, 2006 NUW members at SKF in Oakleigh continued their campaign for a union agreement today (June 26), with a barbeque outside their workplace. The members ate together, ensuring the company knew they would not give up their efforts to secure a union agreement. The warehouse workers have been pressing for a union agreement since first joining the NUW back in February. However, the company has so far only been willing to offer a non-union agreement. more info: http://www.nuw.org.au/articles/vic/news/skf Labels: Community Protest

Deakin Community Breakfast in Mitcham

Deakin Community Breakfast in Mitcham outside Federal Liberal Member for Deakin Phil Baressi’s office. 7.30am June 29 5/602 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham Government IR laws push down workers’ wages and cut conditions while prices, petrol and interest rates are all going up. Download leaflet more info: www.rightsatwork.com.au | ACTU hotline 1300 362 223 Labels: Community Protest, IR Laws

June 15 - Clean Start for cleaners

International Justice for Cleaners Day 1pm June 15 St Francis Church Hall Corner of Lonsdale & Elizabeth St Melbourne CBD Download poster International Justice for Cleaners Day is set aside each year to bring attention to the conditions cleaners face across the globe. The annual rallies around International Justice for Cleaners Day grew out of an ugly incident on June 15, 1990, in Los Angeles when police beat immigrant cleaners protesting the way a multi-national cleaning company was treating them in a CBD office block. This incident provoked public outrage in the USA and abroad. Pressure from cleaners who belonged to unions in other countries helped force the contract cleaner to finally sit down, negotiate and show some respect and decency when talking with their workers. Since then - for nearly two decades now - June 15 has become a focal point for organising cleaners in campaigns and celebrations across several continents. Nominations for a CBD office block which deserves our Golden Toilet Brush Award, for property owners that do not ensure the highest-standards of cleanliness in their buildings, are open. more info: Lisa Chesters 9235 7777 | http://www.lhmu.org.au/lhmu/campaigns/Clean_Start/ Labels: Clean Start, Community Protest

Moreland council sells out leisure centre workers

Despite pressure from the local Union Solidarity group and other residents, and opposition from its two Greens’ members, Moreland City Council voted on May 22 to put control of the Coburg Leisure Complex into the hands of Belgravia, a company with a bad record on workers’ wages and conditions. Two months ago, the 90 casual, part-time and full-time workers employed at the leisure centre negotiated an enterprise agreement with the YWCA, the centre’s management. Australian Services Union industrial officer Igor Grattan is concerned that Belgravia will push the introduction of individual contracts (Australian Workplace Agreements). According to Grattan, only the YWCA and council-managed leisure centres across Melbourne have union agreements. more info: Greenleft Weekly article | Council resolution Labels: Community Protest

June 1 student strike for young workers' rights.

Melbourne: 1.30pm. June 1 State Library, cnr Latrobe & Swanston sts. Students and young workers across the country will be taking action on June 1 against the Howard government's attacks on workers' rights. The "Work Choices" legislation is aimed at making it easier for bosses to rip off working people, and it's going to impact on young people especially harshly. What "Work Choices" will mean for you: Slash in pay rates Sacked whenever the boss feels like it More bullying and harassment at work No weekend pay rates Forced to negotiate with the boss without a union. French students recently showed the way when they led the fight against their conservative government's attacks on young workers' rights and forced it to back down through ongoing mass protests. This victory show that if we put up a fight, we can win. Join the strike on June 1, and tell your friends and family about it. more info: Bri 9639 8622 | 0439 694 505. Labels: Community Protest, IR Laws

Stop the sacking of Robert Austin

Left wing lecturer and long time union activist Dr Robert Austin will be sacked from his permanent job on the 24th of April. He was given notice of dismissal in October 2005 for failing to 'fit' his new work environment in International and Community Studies (RMIT Melbourne). Management’s actions seem in large part motivated by an article in the Herald Sun criticising Robert Austin for re-scheduling a class to allow students to attend a student union rally. Robert Austin has always fought for other people, he was sacked for standing up for what he believed in and fighting for the rights of others, he now needs your support. Pass a motion supporting Robert Austin, then email to: office@vic.nteu.org.au Send an online protest to RMIT: Online Protest Letter Stay tuned for further actions and updates more info: Brief background | Defend Robert Austin Website Labels: Community Protest, Robert Austin

Stop the sacking of Robert Austin at RMIT

Dr. Robert Austin, academic and long-time union activist, was dismissed in October 2005 for failing to 'fit' his new work environment in International and Community Studies. Dr Austin has never been provided with the alleged documentation on which management claimed to have based his dismissal, nor the opportunity to respond. The notice of dismissal took place after Andrew Bolt in the Herald Sun (August 2005) attacked Dr Austin for rescheduling classes so that students could attend a protest against the government’s “voluntary student unionism” (VSU) legislation, this was in line with NTEU policy. The dispute is about to go before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. The NTEU is advising the barrister. Termination will take effect on 24 April. Robert Austin suppporters are organising a Solidarity Fiesta on April 15 at the Comrades Bar and have set up a fighting fund. Download: Leaflets for Solidarity Fiesta Union Solidarity has endorsed the fundraiser and urges all our supporters to attend. More info: Solidarity Fiesta | Defend Robert Austin Website | Online Protest Letter to RMIT | Brief background Labels: Community Protest, Robert Austin

March 29 Victorian Delegates Meeting

Victorian union delegates and shop stewards rallied in Melbourne on Wednesday 29 March to plan the next steps in the fight against the Howard Government’s IR laws. Over 4,000 unionists attended a VTHC delegates and shop stewards’ rally at Dallas Brooks Hall to ratify a resolution that condemned Howard’s IR laws and called for a mass mobilisation of Victorian workers at the next national day of protest set down for June 28. After the meeting union leaders led a march through the city to Australia Post to show solidarity with union delegate, Peter Vining, from the CEPU-Postal Division who has been the target of workplace intimidation. The rally then brought parts of central Melbourne to a standstill as they marched to Liberal Party headquarters in Exhibition St where union leaders burned a copy of the new Federal IR Bill. ACTU President, Sharan Burrow, promised to “light a fire in the emotions of everyone all around the country. This is no a fight about a decent Australia.” more | copy of resolution passed at meeting. Labels: Community Protest, IR Laws, Peter Vining

Rally to defend Peter Vining.

CEPU (Australia Post) delegate sacked for doing his job! 9am. Fri 17 March Magistrates Court William St Peter Vining, a CEPU delegate was sacked late last year (2005) for allegedly telling off a custumer. The CEPU (Posties Union) have vigorously contested the verbal evidence used against Peter Vining. In fact they have stated that "Peter did not even talk to the woman. He even had witnesses to back him up. We are alleging that the management have colluded to 'get rid of' a strong and effective shop steward." More info Labels: Australia Post, Community Protest, Peter Vining

CEPU BBQ and report back

A Fundraiser in support of Peter Vining Sun 19 February 12 Noon New CEPU union office 200 Arden St, North Melbourne Peter Vining was sacked late last year for allegedly telling off a costumer. The CEPU have vigorously contested the verbal evidence used against Peter Vining. The campaign to reinstate Peter has had many twists and turns. Management tried to get a s 127s order against the union for taking illegal industrial action but were unsuccessful. The matter is now before the Federal Court as the union has charged Australia Post under s 298k of the Workplace Relations Act. Australia Post recently agreed to have mediation under the auspice of a Registrar of the Federal Court. Background Fear and Intimidation | Australia Post at it again | Community Assembly to protect delegates job | Action continues | Rally to defend Peter Vining | GreenLeft Article | 3 Feb rally | Fundraiser for Peter Vining Labels: Australia Post, Community Protest, Peter Vining

Small but successful rally defend Peter Vining.

About 40 people attended a rally to defend sacked CEPU shop steward Peter Vining outside the Federal Court building in Williams St Melbourne (Friday 3 February). In a hopeful development Australia Post and the CEPU are going to enter into mediation over the sacking and forceful transfer of Peter Vining and as a consequence Federal Court proceedings were called off. We hope that the offer of mediation by Australia Post is a genuine gesture to resolve the issue. Only time will tell. Peter Vining was sacked late last year for allegedly telling off a costumer. The CEPU have vigorously contested the verbal evidence used against Peter Vining. Although Australia Post have denied a policy of “targeting union members” the CEPU have presented a compelling case to back up the following statement. “We are alleging that the management have colluded to ‘get rid of’ a strong and effective shop steward.” The CEPU have sort to get justice for Peter Vining, who was sacked then later transferred to a lower ranked job in a different centre, in the Industrial Relations Commission, the Federal Court and the internal Board of Reference. Union Solidarity and other union and community activists staged two peaceful assemblies outside the Fitzroy Delivery Centre, solidarity BBQ and last Friday’s rally outside the Federal Court. Background Fear and Intimidation | Australia Post at it again | Community Assembly to protect delegates job | Action continues | Rally to defend Peter Vining | GreenLeft Article Labels: Australia Post, Community Protest, Peter Vining

Rally To Defend Peter Vining

Aussie Post CEPU delegate sacked and victimized for doing his job! Hands off union delegates and shop stewards, Rally to defend basic union rights! 9.30am Fri 3 February Federal Court of Australian 305 William Street, Melbourne The CEPU are going back to the Federal Court to get justice for their delegate. Join them and send a message to the government and bosses that our union delegates will not be pushed around. Bring your union banners! Please download, print and distribute rally leaflets widely. Leaflets removed after receiving threat from Australia Post "Australia Post asks that you remove the leaflet from your website and that you do not publish these errors again. Australia Post reserves its right to take further action if you do not comply with this request." Yours faithfully, Jennifer Porter Corporate Lawyer. New rally leaflets will be posted soon. Send endorsement and messages of support to contact@unionsolidarity.org Background Fear and Intimidation | Australia Post at it again | Community Assembly to protect delegates job | Action continues Labels: Australia Post, Community Protest, Peter Vining

Fifty at emergency protest

About 50 people protested outside the Vice Chancellors office over the sacking of an outspoken left-wing lecturer, Robert Austin. On Monday 5 December a successful protest was held at the Chancellory Building at RMIT University. The demonstration was organised to protest the result of the university's appeals and dispute hearings so far, hearings in which management have failed to follow their own policies and processes. The protestors, mostly students, highlighted the connections between Robert Austin's attempted dismissal and the gagging of student organisations through the "Voluntary Student Unionism" legislation. They also compared the attacks on academic staff and generalised silencing of dissent in universities to the Pinochet dictatorship's purge of critical intellectuals. Defend Robert Austin Website Background: Bolt Strike Lecturer | Bolting to the Right | GreenLeft Article | Defend our Universities... Labels: Community Protest, Robert Austin

Sacked for having an opinion

RMIT lecturer, Dr Robert Austin, has been told his position will be terminated because he encouraged students to attend a political rally. The administration of RMIT took action against the long-time union member after rightwing media reports criticised his political activities. There are two extremely worrying issues that the action against Dr Austin raises. That a worker will be given the arse because he dared to take political action around issues that concerned him. The administration of a public university are allowing their industrial relations to be run by an anti-union rag such as the HearldSun. Please get involved to stop the sacking of Robert Austin. Public Debate | Defend Robert Austin Website | Defend Robert Austin Meeting Labels: Community Protest, Robert Austin