Karl Miller, Melbourne

More than 80 people turned up to the Victorian state conference of the Socialist Alliance, the theme of which was “Organising a community and trade union fight-back against Howard’s new attacks”. This included around 30 “unaffiliated” members of SA (those who are not members of any of the affiliated organisations). Twenty people came from Geelong and Ballarat.

Discussion at the conference focused on the June 30 rally called by a mass union delegates’ meeting. Although the rally is specifically aimed at the federal government’s proposed new industrial relations laws, many people see it as the first big test of a campaign opposed to PM John Howard’s entire fourth-term agenda.

The main panel involved Electrical Trades Union Victorian secretary Dean Mighell, Socialist Alliance activist Melanie Lazarow and Geelong Trades Hall assistant secretary and Socialist Alliance member Tim Gooden.

Mighell emphasised the need for unions to lead from the front foot. He argued that if a union leadership was prepared to fight for wages and conditions, then members would respond to a discussion about broader issues. He spoke in favour of alliance building and close collaboration among those willing to step forward.

Lazarow described the alliance as a gathering place for those who opposed Howard’s attacks. She described different campaigns alliance members were involved in and how those campaigns could also support June 30.

Gooden felt that the ACTU would not be capable of effectively leading a campaign against Howard’s attacks, and argued that others, including those in the Socialist Alliance, would have to take up that role.

The conference divided into several workshops to discuss motions for the conference to vote on. The union fight-back workshop had the largest attendance and discussed a range of ideas on how to strengthen union mobilisation. The workshop presented motions on supporting June 30 and creating a state trade union work coordinator.

Other workshops discussed public education, refugee rights and anti-war/civil liberties campaigns. Motions in support of women’s right to choose abortion were also adopted by the conference.

The conference heard greetings from Steve Jolly, Socialist Party activist and Yarra councillor. Jolly called for joint action against further privatisation of the tram network.

From Green Left Weekly, April 13, 2005.
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