Tim Gooden

  • 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

  • Big turnout for militant unions

    MELBOURNE — The Socialist Alliance and the Skilled Six Committee jointly hosted a rousing public meeting on September 2, discussing solidarity with the militant unions in Victoria. The Victorian Trades Hall was occupied by

  • Geelong to march on May Day

    GEELONG — After travelling to Melbourne M1 protests in 2001, this year unionists and progressive activists here will be protesting closer to home on May 1. Australian Manufacturing Workers Union Victorian secretary Craig Johnston

  • Energy giant pulls the pin

    GEELONG — What could only be described as a David and Goliath battle looks likely to end in a fall for giant energy corporation AES. On March 15, AES announced it was not proceeding with the construction of a gas-and-kerosene

  • Socialist bookshop 'unveiled'

    GEELONG — On March 23 the Geelong branch of the Democratic Socialist Party unveiled its new shopfront and opening hours. The bookshop is open Monday to Wednesday from 4-6pm, Thursdays noon to 6pm, Fridays 5-7pm and Saturdays 9.30am to 12.30pm. The

  • Trades Hall backs refugees

    GEELONG — At its February 5 meeting, the executive of Geelong's Trades Hall Council recommended to affiliated unions that they call for a more humane approach to the treatment of refugees than that pursued by the federal Coalition

  • Royal commission ready to fling mud

    MELBOURNE — Wild allegations and mud slinging are expected to come thick and fast during the first weeks of the federal government's royal commission into allegations of corruption in the building industry, due to begin in early

  • AMWU activists: 'Support the Socialist Alliance!'

    BY TIM GOODEN& ALISON DELLIT One of the hottest debates at the August 4-5 Socialist Alliance national conference was the relationship between the alliance and the unions. Green Left Weekly spoke to two Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU)

  • Royal commission an assault on unionism

    The federal government's July 25 announcement of a royal commission into the construction industry is a clear attempt to weaken organised labour and attack workers' rights in an area long a bastion of militant unionism. The

  • 25% pay increase for one week on the picket line

    GEELONG — After two months of fruitless attempts to negotiate a pay increase, workers at Geelong Windows decided that only industrial action would make their boss see reason — and got what they were demanding after a week of