News briefs 2

2

Free Craig Johnston campaign gains support

SYDNEY — The campaign to free jailed Victorian union militant Craig Johnston has achieved its first union support in NSW, with the adoption of motions of support by three local branches of the NSW Teachers Federation. The motions were adopted by the Parramatta, Canterbury-Bankstown and Blue Mountains teachers' associations.

The campaign group has resolved to organise a protest action in Sydney on September 24, commencing with a picket of the Victorian Tourism Bureau and moving to Sydney Town Hall for a rally. The Victorian Free Craig Johnston campaign group has been invited to send a speaker to Sydney for the rally.

To find out more about the Sydney campaign, phone Adam Leeman on 0414 728 815.

Jenny Long

Centrelink workers rally

BRISBANE — More than 80 Centrelink workers from south-east Queensland and northern NSW rallied outside the Tweed Heads offices of Coalition MP Larry Anthony on September 4 to protest Centrelink's acute staff shortage. The rally, organised by the Community and Public Sector Union, focused on the increasing workload and stress experienced by staff in the federal social services agency.

Meanwhile, the CPSU has protested moves by Centrelink management to withdraw all union facilities during the election "caretaker period".

Bill Mason

From Green Left Weekly, September 15, 2004.

Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

From GLW issue 598