Resistance in Action

Wednesday, August 15, 2001 - 10:00

Students fight casualisation

NEWCASTLE � Resistance is supporting a campaign to save the fine arts
faculty at Newcastle University. Eighty students from the faculty attended
a meeting to oppose the forced casualisation of teaching staff and other
issues on August 3.

Three weeks into their course, staff were sacked and rehired as casuals,
resulting in massive disruption of classes. �Most of our subjects only
go for seven weeks and three of those have been wasted�, one student said.

A meeting to plan action has been organised for August 17, at 11am,
in room VA25. Phone Newcastle University Students Association on 4968 1281.

Resistance targets Harris Scarfe

HOBART � �You're slandering us and violating our freedom of speech�,
said one manager to Resistance activists who held a speakout outside Harris
Scarfe's main Hobart store on the evening of August 10.

Activists gathered to highlight Harris Scarfe's failure to sign the
homeworker's code of practice, which would guarantee award wages to outworkers
who produce clothing for sale at Harris Scarfe.

Despite the peaceful nature of the action, Harris Scarfe managers attempted
to intimidate Resistance activists into leaving. When that failed, police
were called. Though the police prohibited the use of a megaphone, activists
remained to leaflet and collect signatures on a petition.

Abortion rights debate

WOLLONGONG � Resistance held a public debate on reproductive and abortion
rights at Wollongong University on August 8. A member of the Christian
Society spoke against abortion and Resistance supported the pro-choice
argument. Around 45-50 people attended. The majority supported the pro-choice
case.