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2009-09-07T08:08:00.004+10:00

Free Lex Wotton

2008-10-31T18:46:00.000+11:00

Stop Aboriginal deaths in custody!

Rally

12 noon, Saturday 1 November

Old GPO, Bourke St Mall, Melbourne

On 24 October an all white jury found Lex Wotton, a Palm Island Aboriginal leader, guilty of riot. Lex Wotton participated in the November 2004 protest against the killing of respected community member Mulrunji, while in police custody. Lex Wotton has toured the country highlighting the ongoing injustice of deaths in custody and the plight of the people of Palm Island. Lex Wotton, who is a plumber by trade, has called for support from unions and the community to ensure that Aboriginal deaths in custody continue to get the attention they deserve.

Information: Indigenous Social Justice Association, Melbourne 03 9388 0062 or 0419 538 425

US Hands Off Cuba

2008-10-31T18:45:00.001+11:00

Protest on Presidential election day in the United States

Wednesday 5 November at 5 pm

US Consulate-General, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne

Cuba has been devastated by hurricanes Gustav and Ike, with widespread flooding and extensive damage to agriculture, the electrical grid, hospitals, schools and other vital social and economic infrastructure. 200,000 people are homeless and living in temporary accommodation. Without massive international aid Cuba will face food shortages during the next six months. However the United States continues to blockade Cuba. End the blockade!

Information: Centre for Latin America Solidarity and Studies.

latinamericasolidarity.org

Building a response to the capitalist crisis

2008-10-31T18:44:00.000+11:00

Wednesday 5 November at 6 pm

Room 1 - Trades Hall, 54 Victoria Street Carlton South

AAWL public meeting with Steve Dargavel (AMWU), Angelina Ladera (KMU), Kevin Bracken (MUA), Mark Matcott (AAWL). Chaired by Len Cooper (CEPU)

All workers face the capitalist crisis together

Support every strike. Defend every picket.

Support every workplace occupation.

No wage cuts, no sackings.

No cuts to safety, no workplace closures.

Guaranteed pensions and social security.

No home evictions, no home reposessions

Information: Christine Filamundi 0431 730 809

Free Remigio Saladero

2008-10-31T18:43:00.000+11:00

Stop repression against workers in the Philippines

Support the KMU

Remigio Saladero, the chief legal counsel for the KMU was illegally arrested and charged with rebellion and murder.

Charges such as these are a common tactic used by the Philippines government to attack civil society organisations and labor activists who speak out against the policies of President Arroyo.

Remigio Saladero's detention further restricts the ability of labor organizations to exercise their rights and defend all workers from companies who thrive in an environment where violence against trade unions is common and justice is rarely pursued. The Government of the Philippines is responsible for promoting a climate of violence and repression.

Send your protest letter demanding the release of Remigio Saladero:

http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/saladero

Support Kiryung Electronics picketers

2008-10-31T18:42:00.001+11:00

Support the KMWU

On 15 October riot police attacked a peaceful demonstration of the Korean Metal Workers Union injuring and arresting many workers. The workers have been on strike protesting outside Kiryung Electronics for the past three years.

The workers, all of them women, hired through a subcontracting labour agency, joined the KMWU in July 2005 to fight for equality on the job and basic worker protection. Soon after, the company began threatening them with dismissal for forming a union. The workers went on strike.

Kiryung Electronics is a key producer of car radios used by BMW, Chrysler, Volkswagen, Ford, Volvo, and Toyota.

Kiryung Electronics has refused to negotiate in good faith with the KMWU Kiryung branch and instead has used harassment and intimidation with the support of the Korean government.

The International Metalworkers' Federation is working closely with the KMWU to support the workers who are fighting for reinstatement, back wages and compensation.

The IMF is asking unions to send protest letters to Kiryung Electronics demanding that they stop violence against workers, respect workers' right to form a union, and negotiate in good faith.

Protest letters can be faxed to: + 82 2 864 1672 attention Kiryung CEO.

Send your letter of solidarity to the Kiryung workers at the KMWU: inter@metal.nodong.org

Information: www.imfmetal.org

Support Victoria University workers

2008-10-31T18:41:00.003+11:00

Support the NTEU

Victoria University workers face the largest ever mass-redundancy in Australian university history, with over 270 jobs to be cut.

The University has refused to negotiate seriously for a new collective agreement that would have improved job security.

We need to send a strong message to Victoria University that workers there have the support other union members and the community.

University workers need your support. Send the Vice-Chancellor the message that you support the workers at Victoria University:

www.ourtafesmatter.com.au/support-vu.html

Information: www.nteu.org.au/bd/vic

Free Liliany Obando

2008-10-31T18:41:00.001+11:00

Support FENSUAGRO Agricultural Workers Union of Colombia

Liliany Obando is a labour movement organiser in Colombia.

She is still in jail, on charges of rebellion.

Colombia has the worst record in the world in the killing and repression of union activists. Liliany's detention is an attack on workers' right to organise that must be defeated. Request your union's international federation to support this campaign

Send your union's protest statement to

Colombian President Uribe: auribe@presidencia.gov.co

Send your statements of support to: pjfcolombia@gmail.com

Information: http://colombiasolidarity.net/?q=node/71

Victorian Trade Unions Family Race Day and Christmas Party

2008-10-31T18:40:00.001+11:00

Sunday 23 November from11 am to 6 pm

Cranbourne Turf Club, Grant Street, Cranbourne

Free BBQ lunch. This year the entertainment will have a Christmas Carnival theme. Father Christmas will arrive and all children with be given a gift.

Tickets available at the gate.

Tickets for union members (who show their union card):

$15 family $7.50 single

Information: www.vthc.org.au

Support Food Workers in Pakistan

2008-10-31T18:39:00.000+11:00

Support the Dalda Food Employees Union

In 2004, Unilever Pakistan sold its Dalda brand plant manufacturing edible oils and fats in Karachi to a group of former company managers.

Dalda management has been busily applying the lessons it learned at Unilever: buy out the competition, and reduce permanent employment and potential union influence to an absolute minimum.

Workers are now challenging the denial of rights to agency workers by fighting back through a newly formed union.

Encouraged by a successful challenge to casualization at Coca-Cola Pakistan, Dalda workers contacted the Coca-Cola union and the IUF.

Over 430 workers signed up as members in the Dalda Food Employees Union, which applied for official registration with the authorities on 13 May with the support of IUF affiliated National Federation of Food Beverage & Tobacco Workers.

Management sacked 266 workers on 24 May.

The workers have set up a permanent camp in front of the company, with support from the Federation. With daily visits from trade unions and representatives, this has become a living symbol of the struggle against Pakistan's brutal regime of outsourced and casualized labour.

Support the struggle for union rights for all workers in Pakistan.

Send your message of solidarity to the IUF Pakistan office at qamar@iuf.org and to the National Federation of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Workers at khaistarehmankhan@yahoo.com

Information: http://www.iuf.org/www/en/

Defend Noel Washington - Abolish the ABCC

2008-10-31T18:37:00.001+11:00

Tuesday 2 December at 9 am

Support the CFMEU

Rally - Corner Toorak & St. Kilda Roads

March to ABCC - 553 St. Kilda Road Melbourne

Unions will rally against the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) as Noel Washington goes on trial for refusing to submit to an ABCC interrogation.

The ABCC can force construction workers and their union representatives to attend interrogations, record union meetings without workers’ knowledge, and remove the right of workers to choose their own legal counsel.

Noel Washington faces six months in jail, because he stood up for workers.

Information: www.rightsonsite.org.au

Stolen Wages - worth fighting for

2008-10-20T17:20:00.000+11:00

Update from Queensland Council of Unions

After feedback from communities in June 2008, the QCU lobbied 40 members of parliament and wrote to the remaining members expressing its concern about the government's decision regarding stolen wages.
The key message to the government was: Stolen wages is a union & workers issue - wage justice must be achieved.

Statement by the Ron Monaghan, General Secretary, QCU:
The Bligh Government's failure to honour its promise to pay $55.4 million in reparations to the stolen wages claimants is incomprehensible. In 2002 Premier Beattie acknowledged that research indicated that up to half a billion dollars had been stolen from the Indigenous workers of Queensland and he asked those workers to accept a tenth of what was
stolen from them in the spirit of reconciliation. The Indigenous workers accepted the government's word and accepted the off er. It is outrageous that the Bligh Government is reneging on that promise

Download the QCU stolen wages newsletter:
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~aawl/latest_files/qcu_stolen_wages_08_09_24.pdf

Register your interest in this campaign with the QCU at: stolenwages@qcu.asn.au

Free Liliany Obando

2008-10-20T17:19:00.000+11:00

Support FENSUAGRO
Agricultural Workers Union of Colombia

Liliany Obando is a labour movement organiser in Colombia.
She is still in jail, on charges of rebellion.

Colombia has the worst record in the world in the killing and repression of union activists. Liliany's detention is an attack on workers' right to organise that must be defeated

Send your union's protest statement to
Colombian President Uribe: auribe@presidencia.gov.co

Request your union's international federation to support this campaign

Send your statements of support to: pjfcolombia@gmail.com

Information: http://colombiasolidarity.net/?q=node/71

Pakistani brick workers hold protest

2008-10-20T17:18:00.000+11:00

They say they need to sell their children to survive
Friday 17 October
Hyderabad, Sindh province, Pakistan

Statement by Pirzada Imtiaz Syed, Secretary General
All Pakistan Federation of United Trade Unions:

There are more than 40,000 brick kiln factories existing in Pakistan and half a million male & female workers are working in these industry.

In 1988 the Supreme Court of Pakistan declared brick kiln workers bonded labour because these workers were were living in kiln factories as slaves. In 1992 the government passed the Bonded Labour System Abolition Act which freed all brick kiln workers. This law abolished all the outstanding dues and so called advances (Peshgi) that were used to keep the workers forever in debt and working as slkaves

But the cruel owners of the kiln industries have not freed to them.

The government has fixed brick kiln workers wages at US$ 5.67 for 1,000 bricks. But employers are paying only US$ 3:20 per thousand bricks.

The workers are very poor. So many times the brick kiln workers and our organisation demanded the legal wages from the employers, but the employers refused. Our organisation decided a protest against that cruel action of the employers. Now on 17 October our organisation will hold a Friday Bazar Hundreds of male & female brick kiln workers along with their innocent children will participate. They will symbolically sell their innocent children and their kidneys. That will give awareness to the people and government that the brick kiln workers are spending their lives in a very miserable condition.

So we request to the all workers show their solidarity with us.

Brick kiln workers spend their lives just as slaves and bonded labourers in Pakistan. There is no any institution which provides them any kind of help. They are homeless and the employers are violating all the human rights.

We are waiting for your help.

Fraternally yours

APFUTU

Information: apfutu2001@yahoo.co.uk http://www.labourunity.org/home.htm

Worker rights & human rights in the Philippines

2008-10-20T17:16:00.000+11:00

Public meeting with Angelina Ladera - KMU Labour Center

Thursday 23 October at 6 pm

Meeting Room 1, Trades Hall, 54 Victoria Street, Carlton South

Defend the right to organise

Support our union comrades in the Philippines

Information: Dave Kerin 0412 484 094

Endorsed by Maritime Union of Australia, Migrante,
Australia Asia Worker Links, Union Solidarity

International Indigenous Solidarity Gathering

2008-10-20T17:15:00.000+11:00

Latin America, Asia and the Pacific

Thursday 23 October - Sunday 26 October

Thursday 23 October at 6 pm: Welcome To Country - CERES
Friday 24 October at 7 pm: We resist & struggle - Public Forum, Trades Hall
Saturday 25 October from 10 am. Party from 7pm - CERES
Sunday 26 October from 10 am - CERES

CERES: Corner Roberts and Stewart Streets, East Brunswick

Trades Hall: 54 Victoria Street, Carlton South
Information: Marisol 0413 597 315 http://www.latinlasnet.org/gathering/freedom.html

Free the Cuban 5

2008-10-20T17:14:00.000+11:00

Conference with Maria Eugenia Guerrero
Saturday 25 October, 12 noon to 4:30 pm
Solidarity concert from 6:30 pm
MUA Hall, 46-54 Ireland Street, West Melbourne

Sponsored by Communist Party of Australia
Information: Andrew 0419 523 866, Roberto 0425 289 394

Justice for Lex Wotton

2008-10-20T17:13:00.000+11:00

Public meeting
Tuesday 28 October at 7 pm
Solidarity Salon, 580 Sydney Road, Brunswick

On 6 October 2008, the trial of respected Palm Island man, Lex Wotton, began in the Brisbane District Court. Lex faces the charge of riot with destruction and, if found guilty, could face a hefty jail sentence. The charge arises out of protests by island residents, angered by the release of a pathologist's report that labelled the death in police custody of an Aboriginal man an accident.

End the racist witch-hunt - Stop Aboriginal deaths in custody now!

Indigenous Social Justice Association - Melbourne 03 9388 0062 www.isja-msg.com

Time to deliver the highest OHS standards

2008-10-20T17:12:00.000+11:00

OHS Representatives Conference
Thursday 30 October at 9 am

Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre
Near corner of Flinders and Spencer Street

All elected Health and Safety Representatives are entitled to attend on paid time.
This is a WorkSafe Victoria approved course of training under s69 of the OHS Act 2004.
You must register prior to attending
Registrations close on October 15 or earlier if capacity is reached

Information: http://www.ohsrep.org.au/

End the Blockade: US Hands off Cuba

2008-10-20T17:11:00.000+11:00

United States Presidential Elections Day
Wednesday 5 November at 5 pm
American Consulate General, 553 St Kilda Road Melbourne

Cuba has been devastated by two major hurricanes. Hurricanes Gustav & Ike have wreaked havoc across the island nation, causing widespread flooding & extensive damage to agriculture, the electrical grid, hospitals, schools & other vital social & economic infrastructure. Some half a million homes were damaged with 65,000 beyond repair, leaving 200,000 people homeless & living in temporary accommodation. Without massive international aid Cuba will face food shortages during the next six months.

Initiated by: The Centre for Latin America Solidarity & Studies CLASS.
Endorsed by: The Australia-Cuba Friendship Society (Melbourne) & Peace & Justice for Colombia (Melbourne).

For more info or to endorse the protest contact:
Jorge Jorquera 0433 520 012 or jorge@latinamericasolidarity.org

Building a response to the capitalist crisis

2008-10-20T17:08:00.001+11:00

AAWL public meeting

Wednesday 5 November at 6 pm

Room 1 Trades Hall, 54 Victoria Street Carlton South
Capitalism requires the economy to always grow. But that can't be. So the economy crashes. Workers lose their jobs, wages & conditions, pensions & houses.

Capitalist companies and their governments all across the world are trying to escape this crisis by sacrificing our money, our houses and our jobs.

But we can resist. Our strength is international industrial action & solidarity.
Support every strike. Defend every picket. Support every workplace occupation.

No wage cuts, no sackings, no cuts to safety, no workplace closures.
Guaranteed pensions, no home evictions, no home repossessions.
Public meeting: Speakers, proposals, ideas, discussion... All welcome

Tune in to Asia Pacific Currents

AAWL Radio program
Every Saturday at 9am On 3CR, 855 AM

Listen to 3CR on the web: http://radio.aawl.org.au
Download 3CR Podcasts: http://www.3cr.org.au/podcasts

Information: Christine Filiamundi 0431 730 809

All workers face capitalist crisis

2008-10-11T08:27:00.000+11:00

Today all workers need to stand together
Our strength is international industrial action & solidarity

No wage cuts, No sackings, No cuts to safety, No workplace closures
Guaranteed pensions, No home evictions, No home reposessions

Support every strike, Defend every picket, Support every workplace occupation

Latest union news from Labourstart: http://www.labourstart.org/

Download the Global Labour Movement Charter: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~aawl/latest_files/glmc_08_09_24.pdf

IUF challenges job destruction at Nestle & Unilever

2008-10-11T08:25:00.000+11:00

Tuesday 7 October

The IUF is targeting the systematic, programmed destruction of permanent work at two major food TNCs - Nestlé (the world's largest food company) and Unilever (3rd largest food company) - as unions worldwide highlight the menacing spread of precarious work on October 7 - World Day for Decent Work.

The destruction of permanent work has become a major pillar of corporate strategy, implemented to fund record dividends and share buybacks in the name of "shareholder value". Alongside their brands, the companies are manufacturing insecurity. Precarious jobs are corporate policy for shrinking and ultimately extinguishing the number of workers who retain a direct employment relationship with the corporations whose products they manufacture - and with whom they can negotiate their terms and conditions of employment. Precarious work is union busting.

Nestlé and Unilever have been brutally and systematically eliminating permanent work while touting the virtues of job creation and "corporate social responsibility." Behind their famous "billion dollar brands" is an abusive system of outsourcing, casualization, "temporary" hiring and "co-packing" which is steadily eliminating the use of permanent employment contracts.

Campaign sites:
Nestlewatch http://www.iuf.org/cms/
Unileverwatch http://www.unileverwatch.org/

IUF http://www.iuf.org/www/en/

World Day for Decent Work: http://www.wddw.org/-English-

Boeing Strike update

2008-10-11T08:24:00.000+11:00

Thursday 9 October

Message from the International Association of Machinists:

Thanks to all the members who turned out for 'Airlines on the Line' today. Having the support of all the airline employees was a huge boost. It was impressive to see pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, ramp personnel, office and clerical from multiple airlines on the line showing their support, as well as members from SPEEA, HERE Unite, Operating Engineers, the State Labor Council and other unions.

As we head back to the bagaining table it is more important than ever to remain strong on the picket lines. We are cautiously optimistic we can get a resolution. However, we know this Company and the tactics they have used in the past. Members have spoken loud and clear that Boeing cannot simply move the money around and play a shell game. The offer that will settle this strike requires Boeing to make significant changes to address our issues.

Members have also been very firm in their message to Union leaders since learning talks will resume. Members stressed for the Union to hold strong on the issues. While the financial world has been in turmoil, Boeing profits and backlogs are solid - thanks to the hard work of our members and the quality products you build.

It is important to stay the course of this strike and keep the strike strong. We understand it is a difficult time for some members, but we have resources in place to help those members needing assistance. If you took temporary employment during this strike, continue the temporary job because no one knows what, if anything, this continued bargaining will produce.

We are very proud of our members for the solidarity you've shown during this work stoppage.

Keep strong and we will be successful.

Information: http://www.iam751.org/

Chicago sheriff stops home evictions

2008-10-11T08:23:00.000+11:00

Friday 11 October

With America's housing and credit crisis showing no sign of easing, Sheriff Dart announced a moratorium on evictions as it appeared that record numbers would default on their mortgage payments this year.

Evictions are set to climb to a record 4500 — almost three times as many as two years ago — in the county, which includes the city of Chicago.

Sheriff Dart said yesterday that about a third of the families facing eviction were tenants who had continued paying their rent and were caught between a landlord and their mortgage company.

"These mortgage companies only see pieces of paper, not people, and don't care who's in the building," Sheriff Dart said.

"We're not going to do their jobs for them any more. We're just not going to evict innocent tenants. It stops today.

"It's the most unsettling thing where you see a family with all their life's possessions sitting on the kerb."

Cook County encompasses metropolitan Chicago, and with 5.3 million people is one of America's biggest counties.

The credit crisis shows no signs of abating

Source: The Age http://tinyurl.com/4ome23