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Secretary's Soapbox - November 2005

Only Days To Go To 15th November – Protest Day

VTHC affiliates have their various preparations for the National Community Day of Protest (next Tuesday) in full swing.

All unions are reporting enthusiastic responses to the call for a big turn-out.  Howard government agencies are trying to intimidate workers from stopping work, especially in the building industry – to no avail.  Community support is also growing with public meetings over the IR laws in the suburbs seeing big attendances in recent weeks.

There is a growing spirit of unity and strong opposition to what John Howard is trying to do.

His call “trust me” has never rung so hollow now that the extremism of his new workplace laws are out in the open.  It is clear now that the legislation is designed to force millions of Australian workers onto individual contracts (AWA’s), where so far since 1996, only 5% of the workforce has shown any interest in the concept.

But coupled with this extreme aim is a raft of regulations targeting trade unions – to make it impossible to legally assist workers collectively.  We will simply have to rebel against these bad laws or our standard of living in Australia will become a third world standard.

The time to fight is now, not later.

Everyone should be at the Community Day of Protest on Tuesday 15th November.  The sky channel national hook-up will be historic.

Catch a train or tram to Federation Square – you don’t have to pay between 6.30am – 9.00am.
Brian Boyd

VTHC Secretary