"Just Say NO"
The actions against Reith's second wave legislation continued last week in rural Victoria, in Canberra and in NSW in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong. The message to the Australian Democrats on dealing with the legislation was loud and clear: "Just Say NO". In Newcastle, organisers were very pleased with an attendance of between 2,500 and 3,000 people. The leading banner carried the main message of the march, "STOP REITH'S NEW LAWS". Interspersed between the many other banners and placards were reversible masks of Reith — one side Reith's face, the other side a hooded goon — a reminder of the MUA dispute. A wide section of the community participated — religious, student, social justice and other community groups as well as trade unions. New Zealand Trade Union Federation President Maxine Gay warned of the impact of similar legislation in New Zealand. Another speaker from the National Union of Students condemned the ALP's backflip on youth wages (see page 1) to legalise discrimination against young workers. Regional Victoria In regional Victoria there has been a series of eight rallies as well as the highly successful rally and march in Melbourne. All of the actions brought together a broad cross-section of the community. Geelong went first, on August 17, with at least 8,000 turning out. The action was led by around a dozen mobile cranes and workers from a range of industries including Ford, Shell, Alcoa, the textile industry, and Geelong Hospital. "The success of the rally indicates the level of anger which has greeted these proposals to further strip industrial awards, increase casualisation and weaken the role of both unions and the Australian Industrial Relations Commission", said Victorian Trades Hall Council Secretary Leigh Hubbard. "Of particular concern to Geelong workers is the proposal in the legislation to make it easier for employers to introduce individual contracts, even where a collective agreement exists." Geelong was followed by Ballarat, Bendigo, Hastings, Portland, Shepparton, and finally Morwell on August 25. Workers came from as far as Sale (including Esso Longford) to join the Morwell rally. Victoria's power generation was reduced to 50 per cent as 400 power industry workers walked off the job to join the protest. An estimated 120,000 Victorian workers have participated in the rallies — around double the figure for the rest of Australia, a tribute to the hard work put into the campaign by the Victorian Trades Hall Council, regional centres and individual unions and no doubt also a reflection of the lessons learnt from life under a Kennett Government. In Victoria, the next stage of the campaign will focus on the Senate Inquiry into the Workplace Relations Act, workplace activity and weekly protests outside the offices of selected Coalition politicians. Sydney The Sydney rally and march was noteworthy, not so much for the turnout — estimates varying between 10,000 and 20,000 — but for the fighting spirit of participants and the strong presence of unions such as the Shop Assistants who are not usually seen in such actions. Unfortunately the rally following the march was in a narrow city street. The sound system was inadequate, the platform for speakers was too low, with very few people able to see or hear the speakers and entertainment. The majority drifted off quite early in the proceedings. Unlike the major rallies in other cities, ACTU President Jennie George stood on the sidelines with TLC Secretary Michael Costa, while mainly young delegates and organisers from a number of unions spoke about their experiences recruiting and fighting for members' rights. The focus of the ACTU campaign against Reith's legislation now appears to be turning to the Senate Inquiry. The ACTU is setting up a Publicity Fund to concentrate on media coverage during the Inquiry and will be making a submission to it. However, it is important that the struggle against the Coalition Government's anti-union legislation continues and is broadened in the workplace and in the community at large.
Senate Inquiry:
Workplace Relations Legislation The Senate has referred the Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (More Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 1999 — Reith's second wave legislation — to the Senate Employment, Workplace Relations, Small Business and Education Committee. The Committee is due to report on November 29. Under its terms of reference the Committee is to examine the impact of the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Reith's first wave legislation). It will also examine the second wave legislation in the light of these findings. Individuals and organisations may make submissions. The deadline for submission is September 17, 1999. It is important that as many people and trade unions and other organisations send submissions. Submissions need not be long or complex. If the first wave legislation has affected you, then let the Committee know how. Submissions should be sent to: The Secretary Senate Employment, Workplace Relations, Small Business and Education Legislation Committee Parliament House, Canberra, ACT 2600. The terms of reference are available on internet: http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/advert/wrbill.htm Or you can phone the Committee Secretary on (02) 6277 3520; (02) 6277 7799.