Young workers form campaign group

By Jodie Combeer

ADELAIDE — On July 16, a meeting of young people concerned about Howard's attacks on apprentices and trainees decided to form a new campaign group, Industrial Relations Action Team (IRATe).

The meeting heard reports from Young Christian Workers member Steven Kelly about YCW's national postcard campaign, and from Anthony Thirlwall, who met with interstate activists at the recent Resistance national conference.

IRATe plans to produce posters and leaflets for use in workplaces, TAFE campuses, unions and the community, and will make a submission to the Senate Industrial Relations Inquiry in late July. Balaclava-clad apprentices will march as a contingent at the August 19 national day of action; apprentices who go on strike breach their contract of employment.

Members of IRATe include apprentices and trainees, as well as union recruiters in the "Organising Works" project from the Electrical Trades Union, Australian Services Union, Community and Public Sector Union and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union. Activists from the SA Institute of Teachers, which organises TAFE lecturers, and members of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy union are also involved.

For more information contact Jodie at Resistance on (08) 231 6982.

From GLW issue 240