Protest against the elimination of 255 high-skill technical jobs at Telstra.

Join a community assembly at the Telstra building, 35 Collins St, Melbourne CBD
Wed 25 January 8:00am – 1:00pm

 

 

 

A new community group called “Enough” has been formed to fight against the outsourcing of jobs at Telstra.

“Enough” has put out a statement saying:
“Telstra is eliminating 255 highly sensitive, high end, highly skilled jobs. These jobs involve government and commercial security, obviously less important to Telstra than the cost of the labour. Telstra workers are being instructed to train the workforce from India, who will replace them. This is not the fault of Indian workers. This is a clear, racist attempt by Telstra to exploit cheaper labour and at the expense of workers here as well as future generations of Australian workers.”

For more information call Workers Solidarity Network 0431 445 978 or email wsn.melb@gmail.com.

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/events/239805286097724/

Download calendar of community rallies outside Victorian hospitals, in support of nurses’ EBA campaign.

Syrians demanding an end to violence against protestors swelled the numbers of the biggest May Day parade in years. Workers, unionists, socialists, anarchists and activists marched through the city centre, demanding greater democracy in the workplace and asserting the need to fight back against bosses’ greed.

In a simultaneous blow to workers’ rights, the new Liberal Government is axeing Job Watch, the legal centre for workers in trouble. Job Watch has been helping roughly 25,000 workers each year for three decades, but it has been deemed unnecessary by Baillieu.

This is a troubling sign of things to come. The State Government has sent a clear signal that it intends not only to be anti-union, but hopes even to eradicate avenues where workers can individually contest their treatment by bosses.

The legal centre has worked closely with unions over the years; every worker and unionist should condemn its axeing, and prepare to get involved in the public sector EBA negotiations that will take place all throughout this year.

Come and show your support for Job Watch staff and centre’s continued existence on the steps of Parliament, Thursday 5th May at 10am!

The first Workers Solidarity Network conference will take place Fri 20, Sat 21 and Sun 22 May at Trades Hall. All are welcome!

Friday 20^th May

6.30pm The history of Union Solidarity and the need for community action

Dave Kerin kicks off the conference with a discussion of the history and legacy of Union Solidarity, its successes, flaws and impact.

Saturday 21^st May

9-12 Community and Industrial Cooperation

A historical look at community support in industrial campaigns and industrial support in community campaigns.

The BLF green bans and black bans – Davey Thomason

The MUA Patricks Dispute – Kevin Bracken

1-3pm WSN and past disputes

Reports back from and detailed discussions of WSN’s involvement in recent disputes

Kennon Auto dispute – Emma Kerin

Swift Australia dispute – Alex Sproule

Action Bus depot dispute (Canberra) – Louise Passant

3.30-6.30pm Democratic engagement and organising in unorganised industries

UNITE Brunswick Street Campaign – Anthony Main

Wave Hill, Indigenous rights, Northern Territory workers and union support – Tanya McConvell

8pm Drinks and Fundraiser

Sunday 22^nd May

9am A Forum for Clarity

A forum to discuss and clarify WSN’s aims, goals, and role. How will we continue to agitate for industrial action and organise non-unionised sectors? Should we form a national network? What role will we play in future industrial disputes? Join this open discussion of ongoing questions concerning the network.

2pm San Churro protest

In the spirit of direct action, come and support cafe workers at San Churro on Brunswick street. These UNITE members are demanding their penalty rates and back pay, and need our support!

Tickets    One day: $5/$10   Weekend: $15/$20

Email enquiries to wsn.melb@gmail.com or call 0431 445 978

CSIRO scientists, researchers and admin staff assembled outside the company’s Clayton laboratories today.  The action was part of a nation-wide series of stoppages at 43 CSIRO sites, aimed at forcing management to negotiate in good faith.

The scientists explained that their most important demands include a greater involvement in decision making at the company and the resolution of issues relating to redundancy packages for over-65s and parental leave. They also spoke of an insidious internship-like program, which sees work increasingly allocated to severely underpaid international students and junior scientists.

The stoppages are the first in CSIRO’s history. Some of the scientists today even described themselves as ‘industrially conservative.’ Yet again and again the workers explained how their key demand was greater democracy at CSIRO (a bold and legitimate demand not often heard on picket lines these days).

One man who had worked at the site for 18 years explained that in earlier days scientists were regularly consulted by the chief, but that he had never even met the last two CEOs. Other workers described how the current CEO Megan Clark - a former Vice President with BHP Billiton – has overseen the increasing direction of funds away from research, while further excluding researchers from any proper consultation process.

The breadth of scientific research undertaken at CSIRO is truly stunning. That the scientific elite would be treated with such contempt by a ex-mining boss is outrageous and unacceptable. These supposedly industrially inexperienced workers made a brave show today of their opposition to idiotic cost cutting and their commitment to quality research and democracy in the workplace.

Listen to the 3CR podcast on the dispute here.

Workers Solidarity Network strongly supports the striking scientists and their co-workers in this ongoing dispute!

Workers Solidarity Network continues its unqualified support for the UNITE Brunswick Street campaign in light of hypocritical whining from VECCI (the Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry.)

Workers have reported outrageous examples of underpaying, bullying, racism and poor safety in various business along the street, yet this week it is employers who claim they are being victimised by a campaign whose modest sole target is those who trangress the law. In an absurd appeal to state pride, VECCI complained that UNITE’s campaign was ‘not just anti-business – it’s bad for Victoria.’

Fortunately the workers of Brunswick Street, who often work at more than one business along the strip, have supported each other and shared information about dodgy owners. Particularly impressive this week has been the enthusiasm of workers on working holiday visas, who are being opportunistically targeted by sleazy traders.

The campaign quote of the week comes from the notorious owners of fashion outlet Rich (whose use of sweatshops has more than once brought them to the public’s attention). These two women swore at UNITE volunteers and were overheard complaining ‘It’s not like we live in a third world country. If I pay someone $100 a day that’s good!’ These are people lacking in both a basic moral compass and a rudimentary understanding of what they are legally required to do as business owners. 

Join the fight against seedy exploitation! Meet this Saturday at the corner of Brunswick and Kerr Streets at 12.45.

If you can’t make it, name and shame those you know are exploiting workers here or contact UNITE.



Workers have responded enthusiastically to the UNITE Brunswick Street campaign, though shady operators have cast a dark pall over the minimum wage push.

Volunteers from UNITE and WSN have visited businesses along the street for over two weeks, explaining the campaign and talking with young workers about legal entitlements and exploitation.

While retail and hospitality workers have impressed with an intelligent understanding of their largely unregulated industries, certain employers have acted deplorably.

One cafe owner explained to UNITE that while he ran his business according to the law, he was not interested in being a part of the campaign. The next day one of his staff contacted UNITE and explained that they were employed cash in hand for $12/hour on weekends. This employer smugly assured UNITE he was committed to legal minimum wage requirements, while criminally underpaid waiters cleared tables around him.

Another employer, who owns several bars across Melbourne, told WSN not to speak to his staff. ‘My bar guys know about pouring drinks but they don’t know about the business side of things,’ he explained ‘In the past groups have called here and asked about safety things and I’ve got in trouble. But the guy they spoke to, it’s probably their first day. Talk to me.’

Workers on Brunswick Street know about more than ‘pouring drinks.’ They know they are being exploited by bosses who are breaking the law every day. They know their employers – like Giuseppe di Simone, owner of Cape Cafe, who in December was forced to pay out $120,800 in fines and and back pay to two casual kitchen hands – potentially owe thousands of dollars to young workers.

The Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry told the Melbourne Times that employers were not obliged to cooperate with UNITE about the minimum wage. Even VECCI would admit that they are, however, obliged to cooperate with people like Magistrate Kate Hawkins, who fined Mr di Simone and insisted that “there is a need to send a message to the community at large, and small employers particularly, that the correct entitlements for employees must be paid.”

Anyone interested in workers’ rights should become involved in this campaign. Meet 12.45 at the corner of Brunswick and Kerr Streets, Saturday 5^th March.

WSN encourages all workers in the industry to speak out. Contact UNITE at their weekly stall on Brunswick Street or (anonymously if you wish) on (03) 9328 1555 or info@unite.org.au

The Unite Brunswick Street campaign begins shortly. This ambitious campaign aims to ensure workers along the Fitzroy shopping and restaurant strip are being paid at least minimum wage, penalty rates and by the hour.

Unite has reported its shocking findings about the state of workers’ rights along Brunswick Street to the Workers Solidarity Network.  Aside from a blatant disregard for the minimum wage and legal entitlements, these findings include health, safety, bullying and discrimination concerns. The network maintains a strong commitment to supporting all workers, including those from traditionally non-unionised industries such as hospitality. In light of this dismal state of affairs, along what we are endlessly informed is one of Melbourne’s most popular streets, WSN will support and be heavily involved in the campaign.

We urge all WSN members and supporters to get involved and help shake up a street that is far too complacent in its treatment of workers.

The volunteer briefing and training session will take place at 2pm on February 12th in the Evatt room at Trades Hall.

For more information email info@unite.org.au or ring the UNITE office on 03 9328 1555