More support for MUA
A section of the CPSU has passed a motion that: "The Tax Section Council of the Community and Public Sector Union expresses its support for the Maritime Union of Australia against the attack by the National Farmers Federation and the government. We recognise that if the attack succeeds it will be an invitation to every employer in the country to go on the offensive against workers' rights. We commit ourselves to explain the issues to our members and build support for the MUA's struggle."
The council also decided to donate $200 to assist MUA members.
Protesters oppose 'nuclear state'
ADELAIDE — Fifty people protested outside the Hyatt Hotel on February 11 where an international nuclear industry conference was being held. Demonstrators hit out at the Beverly uranium mine, which has been approved by the state Liberal government without an environmental impact statement.
That morning, the Adelaide Advertiser reported that a nuclear waste dump is proposed at Billa Kalina in the far north of SA, to be constructed by 2000. Construction costs will supposedly be recovered from users of the dump. Nuclear waste will be transported by road. Eight possible dump sites are being examined by the federal government, four in SA.
Rural Workers Union protest
SYDNEY — Forty copper miners from Cobar in western NSW, organised by the Rural Workers Union, occupied John Howard's Sydney office on February 10 to demand payment of their outstanding $9.5 million annual leave, long-service leave and redundancy pay.
Steve Roach, secretary of the RWU, explained to GLW that the mine was productive but low world copper prices resulted in the mine's closure. The 120 RWU members left the Australian Workers Union in June. They are proposing that the government pay what is owed to the workers and recover it from future operators, who should also offer the miners jobs under the same conditions as before.
A spokesperson for Howard agreed to a meeting between the union and the government. NSW premier Bob Carr has also said that bankruptcy provisions related to workers' pay should be examined.
'Bludgers in Grass Castles' launched
CANBERRA — Resistance Books launched Bludgers in Grass Castles — Native title and the unpaid debts of the pastoral industry outside the National Farmers Federation offices in Barton on February 12.
A message from author Martin Taylor was read: "The essay was written with the primary purpose of building support for the Aboriginal nations that are struggling to retain their legitimate title rights on pastoral leases. If it helps in this, it may be considered worthwhile."
Democratic Socialist candidates Nick Soudakoff and Tim Goodin, contesting the February 21 ACT election in the seat of Molonglo, also spoke. Goodin said the book was a "significant contribution to breaking the myths the NFF perpetuates, such as that farmers in general face an uncertain future after the Wik decision". The NFF were invited to the launch but declined to attend.