By Chris Perkins
About 5000 government workers gathered outside state parliament for the NSW Labor Council's August 21 protest against the Greiner government's plans to cut public sector jobs by more than 12,000.
There were also large rallies in Wollongong (2000), Newcastle (1000), Wagga Wagga and Lismore.
The Wollongong meeting backed a call for a petition in the Illawarra region protesting against unemployment. With the Illawarra among the areas hit hardest by unemployment, participation of unions and community organisations in the rally was very broad, said the South Coast Labour Council.
The Illawarra meeting also condemned the Road Transport Authority's large-scale job cuts and empowered the SCLC to organise a march in Sydney in September. A delegation will visit opposition leader Bob Carr to seek assurances on public sector jobs under a future Labor Party government. The meeting concluded with a march to Wollongong City Hall, where there were several speakers including Nick Southall of WollonGong Out of Workers Union.