Nick Fredman, Lismore
In recent weeks, a bright orange bus emblazoned with the slogan "your rights at work" has been touring regional NSW, carrying a message of opposition to the federal government's industrial relations reforms and helping to revitalise the union movement in rural areas. Along the way, hundreds have attended meetings organised by Unions NSW, featuring its secretary John Robertson, including close to 150 people in Lismore on September 20.
Robertson also spoke to 100 people in Tamworth on September 22. The tour has facilitated union organising in northern NSW, with the establishment of regional bodies Unions Lismore and Unions New England. The northern NSW tour, also including meetings in Ballina and Armidale, was proceeded by a series of meetings on the state's south coast and western districts.
At the Lismore meeting, Robertson dissected various myths about the Howard government's IR plans, such as the false claims that conditions such as holiday leave and rates of pay will be protected. He pointed out that in the period of the Howard government most workers had received real wage increases of barely 3%, and these at the cost of intensified work, as opposed to the figure of 14% thrown around by Howard (which only relates to the highest salary earners).
Robertson urged those present to take such arguments to their workmates, neighbours and local papers, to win public opinion against the changes. He also said the campaign was "not about re-electing the Labor Party", but is a long-term struggle to "pressure both major parties", as "the Labor Party in power will only give us a few more crumbs" and "both major parties are just different shades of grey".
In his presentation, Robertson appeared to be saying that the main or even only focus of the campaign would be one-on-one discussions, and other "new" tactics such as the ACTU's TV ads, which have been "highly successful". In discussion, after a number of people suggested that this approach was one-sided, Robertson conceded that mass action should also be part of the campaign and that industrial action should be considered. "A general strike may be necessary at some time", he stated, "but it needs to be properly prepared, we need to have majority support for that".
Robertson urged those present to put their details down for the Unions NSW Community Action Network, which he pledged would organise pickets outside any workplace that sacked workers under the new laws.
From Green Left Weekly, September 28, 2005.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.