Unionists rally against Work Choices

Dave Riley, Brisbane

On April 7, 2000 trade unionists gathered in the Roma Street Forum to protest against the Howard government's Work Choices laws and to hear a report from the Light the Fuse workers' rights tour that had been organised by the electrical, construction and manufacturing unions.

Andrew Dettmer, Queensland secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, reviewed the legislation and told the rally that the main game was getting rid of the Howard government.

The Light the Fuse tour had visited many regional centres along the Queensland coast and out west, organising unionists and communities through a series of public meetings and rallies. Electrical Trades Union state secretary Dick Williams told the gathering that the tour was about "lighting the fuse of discontent throughout regional Queensland". From the anecdotes and reports shared with the meeting by those who participated in it, Light the Fuse drew many into the campaign who would not have otherwise been activated or organised.

The rally unanimously passed a resolution that was endorsed at each major meeting along the tour, vowing to campaign until the laws are defeated and to kick Howard out of office.

Calling on those present to commit to the campaign, Williams said: "I ask you to be loud. I ask you to be proud. And I ask you at all times to be great trade unionists that this country deserves." He concluded by urging everyone to march on May Day.

From Green Left Weekly, April 12, 2006.

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From GLW issue 664