News

MUA stop-work meetings express determination to win

Maritime Union of Australia stop-work meetings held around Australia last week to update members on the Webb Dock dispute showed that wharfies and seafarers are angry, determined to win and not alone. The meetings all voted for a $50 levy on members

Metalworkers begin campaign

Metalworkers begin campaign By Michael Bull MELBOURNE — More than 250 metalworkers filled the Resistance Centre on February 4 to launch the Workers First opposition ticket to contest the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union state branch

CPSU campaigns against certified agreement in Health and Family Services

By Phil Shannon CANBERRA — Meetings of Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) members in the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services (HFS) voted overwhelmingly two weeks ago to oppose the certified agreement being proposed by

Tamils march for peace with justice

Tamils march for peace with justice CANBERRA — Five hundred Tamils and their supporters marched here on February 3 to mark the 50th anniversary of Sri Lanka's independence on February 4. @photo caption = Tamil leaders said that while many

Greens, Democratic Socialists back MUA

Greens, Democratic Socialists back MUA By James Vassilopoulos The Australian Greens have thrown their support behind the Maritime Union of Australia while condemning the Democrats' de facto role in helping out the National Farmers Federation

Protest at copper smelter reopening

By Nicole Hilder WOLLONGONG — One hundred people protested the reopening of the Port Kembla copper smelter by NSW Premier Bob Carr on February 3. The demonstration was organised by Illawarra Residents Against Toxic Environments (IRATE),

ACT's socialist alternative

ACT's socialist alternative By Chris Spindler CANBERRA — The Democratic Socialist candidates for the February 21 ACT election launched their policies on February 5. Tim Gooden, one of three Democratic Socialist candidates for Molonglo,

Hunter Valley miners continue to fight

Hunter Valley miners continue to fight By Alison Dellit Workers at Rio Tinto's Hunter Valley No. 1 mine voted on February 2 to continue their fight against the company's attempt to de-unionise the mine. The three-hour stop-work meeting

Appeal against Hindmarsh Island Bridge Act

Appeal against Hindmarsh Island Bridge Act By Angela Walker CANBERRA — The 1997 federal Hindmarsh Island Bridge Act denies the Ngarrindjeri people of the lower Murray region of South Australia the right to seek protection of sacred sites

Voluntary student unionism in Qld

Voluntary student unionism in Qld By Zanny Begg BRISBANE — At the recent Young Liberals' conference in Noosa, Queensland, deputy premier Joan Sheldon announced that the state Liberal Party would introduce voluntary student unionism legislation

Democrats, Greens may support Liberals

By Russell Pickering CANBERRA — The Australian Democrats and the Greens have so far refused to rule out backing a Liberal minority government after the February 21 ACT election. After the last ACT election, the Greens and independents Michael

Plug pulled on Jabiluka NDA

Anti-uranium activists from across the country discussed plans for the campaign against the proposed Jabiluka mine in Kakadu during a national telephone link-up on January 28.