Unionists `living underground'

By Bill Mason

BRISBANE -- Unionists on October 27 held a picket outside a public hearing of the Senate inquiry into the federal government's second wave workplace relations bill, being conducted in the City Hall here.

The picket, organised by the Defend Our Unions Committee, took place on the steps of King George Square. Meanwhile, a number of unions presented submissions condemning the bill to the hearing inside.

Australian Workers Union state secretary Bill Ludwig told the inquiry that many unionists were now “living underground”, fearing demotion or the sack if their membership was found out.

He said the anti-union culture promoted by workplace relations minister Peter Reith had forced the AWU to set up a “secret” direct debit service for membership fees to protect members from employer retaliation.

A further rally against the second wave bill is being sponsored by the Maritime Union of Australia, the Public Transport Union and the Transport Workers Union on November 3 at 5pm in King George Square.

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