Campaign Against Phonetec Continues
05/01/2007
A series of community events continues to take place
as unionists campaign against the unfair dismissal of
a worker from Phonetec in Nunawading. The dispute
began just prior to Christmas when a CEPU member was
sacked from her position. The following days will see
a series of actions including a rally, leafleting and
a community assembly. [ More]
[Friday Rally | Union Solidarity]
Workers Rally Against IR Laws
30/11/2006
Close to 60,000 workers rallied at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today in a National Day of Action against the Federal Government’s Industrial Relations Laws. The rally heard of the impacts on workers of losing entitlements by being forced on to Australian Workplace agreements, before moving to Melbourne’s Federation Square. Similar rallies took place around Australia with some quarter of a million people estimated to have taken part. [ Full Story | Second Report]
The "Fill the G" left a lot of questions, perhaps the most important being "where the bloody hell was everyone?"? asked Adam Maynard. Others ask why the union movement does not take the struggle up to Howard with a General Strike.
Photos: 1 2 |
Video: 1
Heinemann Strikers Victorious
17/10/2006
"46 employees of the Mulgrave company Heinemann Electric Pty Ltd, who have spent the past 7 weeks protesting the company’s theft of a full week’s wages, have yesterday returned to work. While celebrating the victory, workers remain cautious while OH&S matters remain neglected, including the unprecedented PIN for bullying…" said Cheryl Cemeljic in her latest report. [ Workplace Features]
Yallourn Workers Locked-out for 3 Months
05/10/2006
Mechanical Engineering Services have locked out 48 workers for a period
of 3 months 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 Gippsland TLC conducted an All Unions’ Shop Stewards and Delegates Meeting on Friday 29 September 2006, with the
meeting voting to support the next National Day of Protest against the Howard Government's Industrial Relations Laws to be held on November 30th.
Gippsland Trades & Labour Council |
Donations
(PDF)
Consumer Boycott of Woolworths Urged
15/09/2006
Activists in Melbourne have picketed
Safeway/Big W in solidarity with New Zealand workers who have been
locked out for 20 days by Progressive Enterprises (a Woolworth New
Zealand subsidiary). In a leaflet handed out, activists urged people
not to shop at any Woolworths outlets, including: Safeway, Food For
Less, Dick Smith Electronics and PowerHouse, Tandy, Woolworths Liquor,
BWS, First Estate, Dan Murphy’s, Plus Petrol, BIG W, Woolworths Ezy
Banking, Woolworths HomeShop and GreenGrocer. [ Story and
Photos]
Background: New Zealand: Woolworths locks out Workers
Aotearoa IMC | Shelfrespect.org | Unite!
Heinemann Electric: All Work and No Pay? No Way!
09/09/2006
"Presently I am spending my days standing outside
Heinemann Electric Pty Ltd, the company that my mother
has worked in for 18 years, my father and husband for
3 years, and though I left early this year, I was
employed there for 13 years, working with my mother
and husband in the Slegers Products division. Why am I
standing on the outside of these gates?" ... [ Read More]
A solidarity
breakfast will be held Wednesday morning at the
picket line.
Horrific Heinemann |
ACTU |
Union Solidarity |
ETU on Heinemann
AMWU members defy Federal Court order
14/08/2006
Update 16/08/06: It appears that the workers at Amcor Flexibles have won a victory.
AMWU union members at AMCOR Flexibles have defied a Federal Court
order by voting down a recommendation by their union officials to return to work. The workers voted to
stay out on strike and have erected a picket line outside AMCOR
Flexibles, 29a Bell street, Preston.
The workers at the plant have been on strike since Tuesday August 1 to
support AMWU union delegates and members victimized by management.
Amcor have targeted 4 AMWU members for forced redundancies including 2
delegates, according to community organisation Union Solidarity. A total
of 11 Amcor sites across Australia have taken solidarity strike
action.
[Background |
Union Solidarity]
Protests Against Industrial Relations Laws
28/06/2006
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. While there was a strong feeling of solidarity, there was also debate as to whether the current tactics are the best, or whether a general strike is called for.
Reports
Cities Perth | Sydney | Melbourne Photos (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Regional Centres Geelong |
Wodonga | Newcastle
workers march on Spotlight
melb-imc
(top)
|
Over 
"The striking workers of Heinemann Electric Pty Ltd, located in
Mulgrave, Victoria, valiantly begin their 6th week on the grass. Spirits
remain high, friendships continue to strengthen, and resistance is
strong. This week has seen the arrival of Mr Helmuth Fischer, the
managing director of Heinemann’s parent company CBI in South Africa.
While contact has again been made with workers, negotiations continue to
sit in a puddle." said Cheryl Cemeljic in a report from the picket
line. [
A document leaked from the the Australian Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (ACCI) shows a 
