WA workers oppose anti-union bill
By Anthony BenbowPERTH — An estimated 10,000 workers took to the streets on August 22 to protest against the Liberal government's union-busting legislation. The rally and march, organised by the WA Trades and Labour Council, represented the start of an intensified campaign against the legislation, which aims to outlaw many of workers' rights to organise. The Richard Court government has not yet opted for a Kennett-style head-on attack on wages and conditions. First, it is trying to reduce workers' ability to resist. John Howard is on record as stating that a federal Coalition government would follow the same approach.
Despite the rain, workers from all over the city and some country areas, including Collie in the south-west, attended the rally outside the Alexander Library. Unions present included the BLF, CFMEU, CEPU, ALHMWU, CPSU, TWU, AMIEU, AMWU, MUA, State School Teachers' Union, ANF. The nurses' and teachers' contingents were very prominent, reflecting the strength of their current campaigns.
The march to Parliament House was lively, with chants against the legislation and Graeme Kierath, the minister who drafted it. Speakers addressing the rally included Stephanie Mayman and Tony Cooke from the WA TLC, and a representative from the ACTU, who said that the peak body fully backed the campaign.
George Nkadimeng, the first vice-president of the Congress of South African Trade Unions, also addressed the rally. He described workers' conditions in South Africa, emphasised the need for trade union organisation, and said that unionists could not afford to rely exclusively on parliament.
The WA TLC has received messages of support from several countries in the Indian Ocean region, and solidarity actions have taken place in the Philippines. Nkadimeng said that South African unionists will argue for trade bans on Australian goods if the WA government does not back down on its legislation.
A motion to continue the campaign with a series of rolling stoppages and 24-hour strikes was passed unanimously. The TLC has set up a campaign committee which includes union officials, rank-and-file members and shop stewards. For more information ring (09) 328 7877.