Victorian Trades Hall Council. The voice of Victorian workers since 1856.Victorian Trades Hall Council. The voice of Victorian workers since 1856.

JOB WELL DONE!

By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
The Victorian union movement’s contribution to the recent national Day of Protest (28 June) was fantastic.  It was a job well done with a great contribution made by tens of thousands of rank and file workers across the State.  Most of the VTHC’s affiliates put in a great effort, which helped build on the similar big protests of 2005 (30 June and 15 November).  150,000 in Melbourne alone.  Besides updated reports from the Victorian Premier Steve Bracks, Federal ALP Opposition leader Kim Beazley and ACTU President Sharon Burrow, the rally heard moving stories from rank and file delegates: Karen Palmer grandmother and AMWU member from Greer Industries; Helen Grover ASU – Private Sector Branch member from the Tennix call centre; Broden Wardley CFMEU-FEDFA member from the Hamilton sand mining project; Arthur Ledwidge CEPU – Telecomunications Branch member from Optus and Katelyn Grover MEAA member technician from Channel 7 all told of their horrific experiences under John Howard’s I.R. laws.  They received a big reception from the crowd.
The formal proceedings concluded when Paul Murphy a Eureka Rebellion descendent and Anne Hall, a great –great granddaughter of one of the three women who made the original Eureka flag back in 1854, presented the Victorian union movement with a signed Eureka flag.
Paul Murphy also took the crowd through reciting the original “diggers oath” made 152 years ago.
Although the Federal Government and some large employer associations were obsessed with playing down the turnout, it was a magnificent result given we are only half way through the federal electoral cycle.
There were rallies and marches right around Australia.
In regional Victoria there were protests in Ballarat, Geelong, Hamilton, Portland, Warnambool and Wodonga.
When the rally in Melbourne was asked if they would keep coming back until the legislation was withdrawn, they agreed enthusiastically.
It is incumbent on the union movement to maintain a high level of campaigning.
John Howard's wish is that we drop off. His greatest fear is that we don’t.
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