The Guardian 6 December, 2006
Editorial
After November 30,
prepare for the next round
Last week's massive demonstrations by the trade union movement, community
organisations, and progressive political parties was a powerful message to the Federal
Government despite the attendances being below those expected. The numbers attending
were certainly affected by the direct employer intimidation in many workplaces and fear in
the minds of many workers that their participation would result in the sack. Their fears are
legitimate, as employers increasingly try to impose the Federal Coalition Government's anti-
trade union legislation.
The government and employers know very well that the WorkChoices legislation is a
weapon to be used to force down working conditions and wages. Every day examples of its
use come to light, confirming this. Their objective is to completely destroy the trade union
movement and render workers power. But experience shows that trade unionists and
workers will fight back no matter how difficult the struggle becomes.
The necessity for trade unions arises inevitably from the exploitation by the employers of
labour and the fact that despite every effort to divide workers and keep them apart,
sometimes physically, they cannot overcome the fact that work itself brings workers
together in one or another area of employment and that the production process creates the
circumstances for collective organisation and collective action.
Even if the employers and the fascist-like Howard Government succeeded for a time in
shackling this or that trade union, it would inevitably find a way to arise again at some time
and in some place.
The campaign by the trade union movement in Australia, the very widespread actions which
took place across Australia last week and the high level of unity, is the best guarantee that
this is a fate that cannot be easily imposed on the Australian labour movement.
Last week's demonstrations and their outcome need to be studied to see what can be done
to improve organisation although it is already at a reasonably high level. So is the
presentation of the case of the trade unions. The next national day of action will be on April
22, 2007 — a Sunday. This creates the potential for greater community involvement, a
process already taking place with the formation of Your Rights at Work committees around
Australia. More community organisations could be encouraged to officially take part and
bring their supporters onto the streets with the trade unionists. Their leaders be offered a
place among the speakers. It could see their specific economic and political demands
reflected in the propaganda of the trade union movement. Sunday also makes it possible for
the actions to be more of a family day.
It is reported that there was some criticism of the slogan adopted by the ACTU — "Your
Rights at Work Worth Fighting and Voting For". The fact is that while the main strength of
the movement is expressed by the meetings and demonstrations the Howard Government is
only going to be thrown out by votes in ballot boxes at the time of the next election. So
voting in the election is also part of the struggle and although the extra-parliamentary
actions are central, they should not be posed against voting in elections.
In this respect, and recognising that at this stage the only alternative to the Liberal/National
Party coalition is a Labor Party Government the question of the best Labor Party leadership
to defeat Howard is also important. It would be a tragedy for the working people of Australia
if a failed leadership or ALP in-fighting allowed Howard to sail back with another electoral
victory. The Howard Government has to be thrown out in 2007 not in 2010.
In addition to the question of leadership, another important factor in the outcome of this
election is the necessity for the ALP to decided that it will exchange preferences with The
Greens across the board. If it is possible for Greens and Labor Party members and trade
unions led by Labor Party members to demonstrate together why not exchange electoral
preferences?
Not only must the government be defeated in the House of Representatives but Howard's
majority in the Senate must also be turned around — and that requires a principled
preference swap.
In the meantime, let's keep up the fight-back and the propaganda and prepare for the next
round.