Tim Gooden

  • Our Common Cause: Unions and umpires

    The following article is abridged from a speech to the February 24 Victorian state conference of the Socialist Alliance by Geelong Trades Hall Council secretary and alliance member Tim Gooden.

  • ACTU leadership forum leaves questions unanswered

    Around 200 union leaders from around Australia attended a trade union leadership forum organised by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) in Canberra from January 30 to February 1. Many had a lot on their minds. First and foremost, many wondered how the Rudd Labor government’s new industrial relations systems would shape up and what the union movement will have to do to make sure it benefits workers? Unfortunately most walked away after three days asking themselves the same questions they arrived with.

  • Why the MUA supported the APEC protests

    On September 8, Tim Gooden spoke to Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) Sydney branch secretary Warren Smith for the Geelong Trades Hall’s Union Air community radio program. The interview took place at the protest that day against the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and US President George Bush.

  • Invitation to a national trade union activist workshop

    A workshop involving trade unionists from around Australia is being held in Geelong on October 28 from 1pm. Socialist Alliance initiated the workshop because union activists are telling us that there are many issues in the campaign against Work Choices that aren’t getting discussed.

  • Union activists plan national gathering

    Trade union activists from around Australia will gather in Geelong, Victoria, on October 28 to discuss ways forward in the campaign against the Howard government’s many assaults on workers and union rights.

  • Glenn Hodgman: A socialist and leading shop steward

    GEELONG — On November 26, leading building union activist Glenn Hodgman was tragically killed in a motor accident at Newport. He was 47 years old. Originally from Tasmania, Glenn came to Melbourne in the mid-1980s, a carpenter by

  • GWC sacks locked out workers

    GEELONG — After five months of being locked out of their workplace with no pay, workers at the Geelong Wool Combing factory have been sacked. On September 23, the GWC board decided to close the plant on October 1, leaving 115

  • Thousands rally for locked-out workers

    GEELONG — More than 2000 unionists rallied on August 27 to demand an end to the 15-week lock-out of Geelong Wool Combing employees. In a colourful lunchtime rally, building workers rubbed shoulders with public servants, teachers,

  • Workers rally together to fight lock-outs

    GEELONG — Unionists have rallied together to support 100 workers from Geelong Wool Combing who have been locked out for 13 weeks, fearing that such employer tactics are becoming more common. The first lockout notices were issued on

  • Will Labor's "umpire" really help workers?

    On August 4, leader of the federal "opposition" Simon Crean attended a protest line at Geelong Wool Combing, where workers had been locked out for 13 weeks. After listening to the workers' plight, Crean held a press conference. He

  • Defend Medicare campaign launched

    GEELONG — On June 11, 100 people attended a public meeting convened by Gavin O'Connor, ALP MP member for the federal seat of Corio, to hear speakers talk about defending Medicare. The meeting was addressed by Australian Nursing

  • Construction workers fly their colours

    GEELONG — Answering a call from the Victorian branch of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union for shop stewards to fly banners of peace on construction sites, members have found that even a peace symbol needs to