The United States autoworkers strike is a long way from Australia. It is still important, because it is a sign if what is going wrong in that country, and major developments there will have an impact here. This is how closely Australia is enmeshed into the economic and political power of the United States. Continue reading The American autoworkers strike is important for the United States and Australia
“People know something’s wrong. They know something’s wrong in their society when we have Commonwealth Bank recording over $10bn in profit while ordinary Australians are struggling to put a roof over their head.” These words were said by Zach Smith, construction division national secretary of the CFMMEU. Continue reading Call for a super profits tax to provide affordable housing is gaining support
Back on 18 January, cannery workers at Visy in Shepparton took strike action for 24 hours over stalled negotiations between their union and management for a new agreement. They walked of the job again on 25 and 17 January, and again on 17 March. Strikes have continued for 2 shifts each week.
Visy is Australia’s largest privately-owned company with an annual turnover of $7 billion. Continue reading Visy workers are fighting for a liveable deal
The Albanese government is working to bring in a change to the Fair Work Act. It is going to be amended to allow bargaining across multiple workplaces. Or is it? Continue reading Industrial relations change will fail to answer rising cost of living
Contributed Country Road is a well-known clothing chain in Australia, which likes to market itself as an ethical business. The local parent company has a highly visible retail profile. In addition to the Country Road stores, it owns Witchery, Mimco, Politix and Trenery. The owner of all is the South African multinational Woolworths Holding Limited (WHL). Continue reading Country Road workers take industrial action for equal and decent pay
The dust is settling on last week’s events in Melbourne, where ultra-right led mobs attacked a union office and then began a few days on a violent rampage. Most of Australia justifiably condemned them. There are a couple of buts though. Continue reading Escalating police violence was a real issue in Melbourne two weeks ago
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has dropped charge related to allegations against the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU). the charges relate to prosecution of the union’s Canberra branch, Jason O’Mara. Continue reading Politically driven vendetta against construction union scores another failure for the government
Last Friday, the Port of Melbourne was shut down by determined members of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA). They did this to send a message to tugboat operator Svitzer. The dispute is over negotiations for a new workplace agreement have stalled for 18 months, causing growing uncertainty. Continue reading The new battle on Melbourne waterfront to defend rights at work
On 4 July American celebrated their 4 July. This I s their day of independence, marking victory over Britain and the end of being a colony. The American revolution was important. It inspired the word, stood for freedom from tyranny and the right of a people to choose their own future. This is worth celebrating. Continue reading Revealed documents show the bad side of Bob Hawke
When I was working for the Builders Labourers Federation back in the mid 1980’s, part of my responsibility was to research deaths and injuries in the Australian construction industry. Continue reading Attack on union rights results in rising death toll
