Geelong unionists discuss IR 'reforms'

GEELONG — On April 6, about 100 union delegates and members attended a cross-union meeting at Geelong Trades Hall to discuss the federal government's anti-union legislation.

Leigh Hubbard, outgoing secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall Council (VTHC), stressed that the opposition campaign must draw broad community support behind unions' demands.

In discussion, several delegates criticised the ACTU for its failure to organise a national protest to coincide with the VTHC-called protest action on June 30.

Geelong Trades Hall Council (GTHC) assistant secretary Tim Gooden, who chaired the meeting, told Green Left Weekly it had been "called to allow all delegates of all unions to collectively work out the best strategies for an industrial campaign in Geelong. This is just the first stage of the campaign but it's obvious that Geelong workers are ready to defend their rights, wages and conditions."

A motion was passed unanimously pledging the support of those present and their unions to any campaign against anti-union laws organised by the GTHC.

Trisha Reimers

From Green Left Weekly, April 13, 2005.

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From GLW issue 622