About 2000 unionists marched in Gladstone, Queensland, on May 5. It was a good crowd, particularly since it was a workday, but workers were determined to take time off to send Premier Campbell Newman a message that our May Day is in May.
Two years ago, Newman decided to change the date of Labour Day to October. But Gladstone has stuck to tradition and maintained marching on this day, because local unionists we believe that is where it should stay. Gladstone is the only town in Queensland to do this and plans to keep the tradition going into the future.
Most unions in the area were represented, the Electrical Trades Union led the march. As it was not a public holiday, some unions could not be present due to the nature of the work they do, such as the Queensland Teachers’ Union, which is usually there and very active on the day.
The march started from the William and Auckland Street intersection and proceeded up through the main business district, passing the offices of the LNG gas companies and the Liberal National Party federal member, Ken O’Dowd, eventually finishing at the Gladstone Marina Parklands.
Business owners and office workers, not used to marches during the working week, came out and watched while the march passed. It was great to let them know that the union is still proud and strong in Gladstone.
Stuart Trail from the ETU was the main speaker on the day and he spoke about the selling of the power assets and other infrastructure in Queensland. Other speakers included Peter Ong from the ETU, state secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union Rohan Webb, Michael Ravbar from the Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union, and Jason Miners from the Maritime Union of Australia. Leader of the Queensland opposition, Annastacia Palaszczuk, also made a short speech.
The most common theme on the day was opposition to selling public assets, although other issues such as the proposed changes to the federal industrial legislation, the changes already made in Queensland to the state legislation, workplace health and safety, and planned changes in the federal budget.
After the speeches, members and activists moved a motion to keep holding May Day celebrations in Gladstone in May.
Even though this year was a success, it was not without controversy. The executive of the Queensland Council of Unions in Brisbane moved a motion to hold the march and celebration on May 4, a Sunday.