Unions plan biggest protest in Australian history

international | worker & community struggles and protests | other press Monday November 14, 2005 17:16 by pat c

The Australian Trade Union movement are fighting back against Government attempts to destroy Free Collective Bargaining and replace it with workplace contracts. A Day Of Action has been called for Tuesday 15 November.

You can read the full story at the link.

pat c

Unions plan biggest protest in Australian history

Australian workers will stage the biggest protest in the country's history Tuesday, bringing major cities to a halt over planned labour reforms, trade unionists warned.

The proposed new labour laws, which cut the power of unions in favour of individual workplace contracts, were passed by the lower house of parliament last week and go before the Senate later this month.

They are being promoted by the conservative government as a means of creating jobs and boosting the economy but critics argue they will instead cut workers' pay and rights to holidays, rest breaks, bonuses and allowances.

Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) president Sharan Burrows said the demonstrations Tuesday "will be the biggest ever protest (and) ... the start of a people's movement against these laws".