Action updates
AGL strike
NEWCASTLE — Employees of the AGL natural gas company in the Hunter region struck from June 22 to 26 in response to company plans to shed 53 of its work force of 163 by June 30.
A redundancy plan offered by management was considered unacceptable by workers affected in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Cessnock and Port Stephens. The workers were due to meet again on June 26. The workers are concerned about the contracting out of services such as maintenance and appliance servicing. Sales are already under contract labour in Sydney, leading to a diminishing work force in that area.
Campaign for Burma
A national petition campaign has been launched to coincide with international efforts to place greater pressure on the military dictatorship in Burma. The campaign runs from June 18 until July 20, the date by which Burmese Nobel Peace laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is due to be released. June 18 marks her 50th birthday.
Suu Kyi has been kept under house arrest for six years by the military junta. She is founder and leader of the main opposition party, the National League for Democracy. The petition calls for the unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi; the implementation of cease-fire and peace settlements between the ethnic minorities and the Burmese army; and the imposition of an international arms embargo on Burma. For further information contact your nearest Burma solidarity group or Dr U Ne Oo, 48/2 Ayliffes Rd, St Marys SA 5042.
Anti-nuclear publicity
WOLLONGONG — South Coast Trades and Labour Council handed out leaflets against the resumption of French testing in the City Mall on June 17. Resistance and the Democratic Socialist Party collected more than 350 signatures in less than two hours. Local television ran short fill-ins called "This is Where We Live" featuring shots of nuclear testing at Moruroa and people in the streets voicing their opposition. Wollongong Council and the federal member for Throsby, Colin Hollis, have also initiated petitions.