Workers Issues in Australia & the Pacific
Australian construction worker dies after being struck by tub of concrete
By Oscar Grenfell, 8 September 2018
The incident, like other industrial deaths, points to the role of the unions in enforcing the dangerous conditions that prevail in the construction sector.
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
8 September 2018
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Home loan stress threatening millions of households in Australia
By Mike Head, 7 September 2018
Nearly one in four households are already “mortgage prisoners”—trapped in debt while house values are falling.
Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand) forum reviews lessons of nursing union sellout
By our reporter, 7 September 2018
Participants discussed the need for health workers to rebel against the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, build rank-and-file committees and unite with workers internationally, based on a socialist perspective.
Australian unions exploit childcare strike to promote Labor
By Oscar Grenfell, 6 September 2018
The Sydney protest was effectively an election rally for the Labor Party, which has spearheaded the privatisation of childcare.
Australia: Aurizon coal train crews face union sell-out
By Patrick Davies, 1 September 2018
The Rail Tram and Bus Union is working to conclude yet another regressive enterprise agreement covering coal haulage crews in the Hunter Valley.
Reserve Bank of India employees to walkout over pensions; Alcoa workers still on strike in Australia
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
1 September 2018
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Australian state Labor government intervenes to prevent industrial action by Esso workers
By Terry Cook, 28 August 2018
The Victorian government is seeking to push the long-running dispute at ExxonMobil’s offshore operations back into arbitration.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
28 August 2018
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New Zealand transport workers’ jobs and conditions under attack
By our correspondents, 25 August 2018
Rail and bus workers face a sustained assault by companies hired by the Greater Wellington Regional Council to run passenger services.
Bangladesh jute mill workers demonstrate; Paradip port workers strike in Orissa
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
25 August 2018
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Australian university union leaders quit amid escalating sellouts
By Mike Head, 22 August 2018
The NTEU is facing increasing disaffection as it assists managements to impose real wage reductions, greater casualisation and heavier workloads.
Lessons of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation’s sellout: Build rank-and-file committees! Unite the working class against the Labour government!
By the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 18 August 2018
The sellout of the nurses’ struggle by the union bureaucracy raises the need for rank-and-file committees and a fight to unite the working class against austerity and for socialism.
Alcoa workers strike in Western Australia
By Terry Cook, 18 August 2018
The stoppage expresses growing opposition to the corporate giant’s global cost-cutting operation.
Australia: Transport union cancels Victorian bus drivers strike
By Oscar Grenfell, 17 August 2018
The TWU’s suppression of the stoppage was the outcome of a sordid back-room conspiracy, involving the union, the companies and the Victorian state Labor government.
New Zealand primary teachers hold nationwide strike
By our reporters, 16 August 2018
Tens of thousands joined rallies across the country to demand better pay and conditions, while the teachers’ trade union used the strike to promote illusions in the Labour Party-led government.
Australia: Victorian bus drivers to strike over pay and conditions
By Oscar Grenfell, 15 August 2018
The strike expresses mounting anger among transport workers across the country over the consequences of a privatisation agenda imposed by Labor and Liberal-National governments.
Over 400,000 West Bengal tea plantation workers strike; Alcoa workers walkout in Western Australia
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
11 August 2018
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New Zealand Nurses Organisation rams through sellout pay deal
By John Braddock and Tom Peters, 8 August 2018
The union is trying to present the agreement, which fails to address the crisis in the public health system, as a victory.
Australia: Telstra seeks to slash wages after announcing massive job cuts
By Terry Cook, 8 August 2018
The communications company is pushing a new enterprise agreement containing wage rises well below rapidly rising inflation.
GlaxoSmithKline workers in Bangladesh protest factory closure; Philippines police arrest picketing workers outside NutriAsia
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
4 August 2018
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Australia: Nine-Fairfax Media merger threatens jobs
By Oscar Grenfell, 3 August 2018
The deal marks a new stage in a protracted restructuring of corporate media organisations, dictated by the financial elite.
New Zealand nurses express frustration, anger in union broadcast
By our reporters, 2 August 2018
The union’s online event was a desperate attempt to sell the latest, widely opposed deal and shut down the rebellion among nurses.
New Zealand Defence Force nurses deployed during strike
By John Braddock, 31 July 2018
The Labour government’s military deployment is a sharp warning to the resurgent working class as to what the ruling elite has in store.
Australian Labor Party plans another pro-business, higher education restructure
By Mike Head, 28 July 2018
A decade after its “education revolution,” Labor prepares an even deeper market-driven “review” of universities and technical colleges.
Esso Australia steps up offensive against offshore workers
By Terry Cook, 28 July 2018
The ExxonMobil subsidiary is tearing up jobs, wages and working conditions in its Bass Strait gas operations.
13,000 sanitation workers strike in Ahmedabad, India; Tamil Nadu rubber workers protest
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
28 July 2018
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New Zealand Nurses Organisation presents fifth sell-out pay offer
By John Braddock, 26 July 2018
The latest offer to public hospital nurses, healthcare assistants and midwives is virtually identical to offers they rejected before the July 12 nationwide strike.
After nationwide strike: The way forward for New Zealand health workers
By the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 25 July 2018
The SEG calls on health workers to break from the pro-capitalist trade unions and form rank-and-file committees to unite the working class against the Labour-led government’s austerity policies.
New Zealand bus drivers take action over work rosters
By our correspondents, 24 July 2018
Bus drivers are facing attacks on jobs, wages and conditions by private operators contracted by the Labour Party-led Wellington Council.
Australia’s peak union body lays out campaign to elect yet another big business Labor government
By Oscar Grenfell, 21 July 2018
The ACTU is seeking to corral their dwindling memberships behind Labor and shore up the unions’ position as an industrial police force.
Indian electricity workers on strike in Madhya Pradesh; Indonesian motorcycle taxi drivers threaten mass strike action
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
21 July 2018
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Australia: Another fire at Melbourne recycling plant
By Eric Ludlow, 18 July 2018
Toxic blazes continue to erupt at Australian recycling plants as companies stockpile tonnes of dangerous waste material.
Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand) holds online health workers’ meeting
By our reporters, 17 July 2018
The SEG’s forum, which included New Zealand and Australian workers, discussed the political lessons of the July 12 strike by 30,000 nurses, healthcare assistants and midwives.
Growing strike movement in New Zealand
By our reporters, 14 July 2018
The first cross-department public sector strike for over a decade, was held three days before the 24-hour nationwide nurses’ strike.
Thirty thousand coconut fibre workers strike in India; Chinese workers protest closure of Sanding housekeeping company
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
14 July 2018
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New Zealand nurses stage first nationwide strike in 30 years
By our reporters, 13 July 2018
Nurses, healthcare assistants and midwives in public hospitals struck for 24 hours yesterday after rejecting a sellout deal backed by the union.
Australia: Victorian bus drivers strike over wages and conditions
By our reporters, 13 July 2018
The Transport Workers Union has previously solicited donations from the bus company that it fraudulently claims to be leading a struggle against.
Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand) to hold online forum: The way forward for nurses and health workers
By the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 11 July 2018
The online meeting will discuss a socialist strategy to fight for decent and well-funded public health services, in opposition to the Labour Party-led government and the nurses’ union.
New Zealand nurses reject union-backed sellout, prepare nationwide strike
By Tom Peters, 10 July 2018
Nurses, healthcare assistants and midwives in public hospitals are preparing for a nationwide strike on Thursday, after rejecting a sellout offer recommended by the New Zealand Nurses Organisation.
Australian unions’ bogus campaign over sacking of Longford maintenance workers
By Oscar Grenfell, 10 July 2018
The unions now claim to be leading a “struggle” in defence of the workers, having enforced the destruction of their jobs 12 months ago.
Paramedic’s suicide points to crisis in Australian ambulance services
By John Mackay and Cheryl Crisp, 9 July 2018
Tony Jenkins, 54, took his own life following a meeting with senior management in the New South Wales Ambulance Service.
Delhi Metro rail threatened with India’s essential services laws; New Zealand teachers vote in favour of strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
7 July 2018
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Australia: Prosecutors drop blackmail charges against construction union officials
By Terry Cook, 4 July 2018
The CFMMEU had worked to prevent the eruption of a struggle by construction workers against the laying of the criminal charges.
Thousands of West Bengal textile workers locked out; New Zealand nurses union cancels planned strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
30 June 2018
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Australia: Toys ‘R’ Us closure to destroy 700 jobs
By Terry Cook, 26 June 2018
The chain’s liquidation underscores the parasitic role of private equity firms in collapses throughout the retail sector.
Australia: Telstra announces another 9,500 job cuts
By Oscar Grenfell, 23 June 2018
The telecommunications company is seeking to impose one of the largest mass sackings in Australian corporate history.
Indian transport workers strike in Uttarakhand, 20,000 health workers continue indefinite walkout in Haryana state
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
23 June 2018
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New Zealand nurses reject third sellout deal, prepare to strike
By Tom Peters, 22 June 2018
The nurses’ union is desperately seeking to avoid two 24-hour strikes scheduled for next month.
Staff at Australia’s Macquarie University vote for unified fight against government cuts
By our correspondent, 20 June 2018
The vote indicates the emergence of highly significant opposition to the decades-long betrayals of the trade unions.
Union-management partnership at Australia’s Macquarie University will create “two-tier” workforce
By our correspondent, 18 June 2018
The NTEU is collaborating with management to introduce the “jobs families” plan that will force huge workloads onto 25 percent of teaching staff.
More than half of Australian workers in part-time insecure employment
By Terry Cook, 11 June 2018
Decades of job destruction have produced a “gig economy,” with many young workers unlikely to ever hold a full-time job.
Uttar Pradesh childcare workers demand teachers’ pay rates, Sri Lankan water supply workers strike for pay increase
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
9 June 2018
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Fear of working-class unrest triggers Australian minimum pay increase
By Mike Head, 6 June 2018
The industrial judges voiced concerns that record poor wages growth has generated dangerous discontent.
Australia: Private health giant Healthscope axes 400 jobs
By Margaret Rees, 5 June 2018
The company is shutting down two hospitals in order to help secure a more favourable takeover bid.
Indian garment workers demand higher pay, teachers demonstrate in China
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
2 June 2018
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Two workers killed at Australian paper mill
By Paul Bartizan, 31 May 2018
The cause of the gas exposure is still unclear.
Indian port workers to walk out, 30,000 municipal workers remain on strike in Haryana state
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
26 May 2018
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Joint email signals union-management partnership at Australia’s Macquarie University
By our correspondent, 24 May 2018
The NTEU is proceeding with the “strategic” measures in order to impose savage cost-cutting and restructuring
Indian bank workers threaten national strike, Auckland University students and staff protest in New Zealand
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
19 May 2018
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Australian government “review” prepares deeper public sector cuts
By Terry Cook, 18 May 2018
The review will be a mechanism to justify further privatisations, outsourcing and cuts to jobs and conditions.
Australian pseudo-left backs union campaign to elect a big business Labor government
By Oscar Grenfell, 15 May 2018
Socialist Alternative is attempting to cover up the fact that Labor and the unions have become the central political instruments of the corporate elite.
New Zealand nurses mount nationwide protests
By our reporters, 15 May 2018
Thousands marched in 15 towns and cities to demand better pay and conditions.
Delivery drivers strike in China, Korean Airline pilots and workers demand dismissal of company chairman
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
12 May 2018
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The way forward for New Zealand nurses: Break from the unions! Unite the working class against the Labour government!
By Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 10 May 2018
The fight by nurses and other health workers for decent wages and conditions must be consciously directed against the Labour Party government and the pro-capitalist trade unions.
Chinese construction workers and crane operators protest on May Day
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
5 May 2018
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Australian rail union tries to suppress continuing hostility to NSW train sellout
By Oscar Grenfell, 30 April 2018
The union is acutely aware that the pro-business restructuring mandated by the enterprise agreement will provoke struggles among rail workers.
Australian unions impose sweeping job and pay cuts via “interest-based bargaining”
By Mike Head, 24 April 2018
The IBB process is a new stage in the decades-long transformation of the unions into corporatist entities.
Unions shutdown three-week strike by Chinese technology workers
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
21 April 2018
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Australian unions launch campaign to re-elect an anti-working class Labor government
By Terry Cook and Oscar Grenfell, 19 April 2018
The trade unions are directly responsible for the social crisis that the “Change the Rules” campaign purports to oppose.
Australia: Discontent as union pushes collaboration with management at Macquarie University
By Mike Head, 17 April 2018
Younger academics and casual teachers, in particular, have voiced disbelief at the National Tertiary Education Union’s assurances.
Thousands of oil tanker drivers in Odisha, India to strike next week for higher pay
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
14 April 2018
The Odisha tanker drivers are employed by contractors for the state-owned oil corporations and are only paid about $US115 per month.
Australian tertiary education union imposes cuts to wages and conditions at Murdoch University
By Mike Head, 9 April 2018
Almost half the university’s staff abstained or refused to vote in the postal ballot to accept the NTEU-negotiated agreement.
More than 3,000 striking employees shut down Sri Lanka’s international airport
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
7 April 2018
The strikers seized control of all water and power supplies and blocked the entrance to Bandaranaike International Airport to demand higher wages and outstanding benefits.
Australian dock workers strike against threatened 60 percent wage cut
By our reporters, 6 April 2018
The Maritime Union of Australia is isolating the workers, while it seeks to strike a sellout deal with Qube Ports.
Hundreds of Korean shipyard workers strike against wage and job cuts
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
31 March 2018
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Australian train workers denounce NSW rail sellout
By Oscar Grenfell, 29 March 2018
Workers question the legitimacy of the postal ballot and condemn the sordid manoeuvres of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union.
Unions impose sellout deal on Australian rail workers
By Oscar Grenfell, 26 March 2018
The New South Wales rail unions could only secure a razor-thin margin through a months-long campaign to stifle and suppress opposition.
Around 1.5 million Uber and Ola drivers strike in India
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
24 March 2018
Striking Uber and Ola drivers said they are only making a fraction of what they were promised when they began working for the multi-million dollar tax companies.
Union prepares another sellout deal at Australia’s Macquarie University
By our correspondent, 20 March 2018
The secrecy imposed by the NTEU is a warning that Macquarie will be a test case for the union’s capacity to impose intensifying cuts and pro-business measures.
Australia’s industrial tribunal allows “super-union” merger
By Terry Cook, 19 March 2018
For decades, the three unions that amalgamated this month have imposed cuts to the jobs, wages and conditions of maritime, mining, textile and construction workers.
Forty thousand Indian railway workers march on parliament
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
17 March 2018
The workers were protesting against the introduction of a mandatory employee-contribution pension scheme.
Australia: Unions preside over anti-democratic ballot to sell out NSW rail workers
By Oscar Grenfell, 15 March 2018
The rail unions have done everything they can to suppress any industrial and political struggle by workers.
Vote “no” in the postal ballot!
Australia: Rail authorities, unions push sellout deal in NSW train dispute
By Oscar Grenfell, 12 March 2018
The agreement provides for continuous pro-business restructuring, job cuts and the elimination of working conditions.
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
10 March 2018
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Australian rail union pushes through sellout agreement at Pacific National
By Patrick Davies, 5 March 2018
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has imposed another deal that slashes conditions and provides for the ever-greater use of casual labour by the freight operator.
Australian rail union prepares sellout in NSW train dispute
By Oscar Grenfell, 2 March 2018
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union confirmed yesterday that workers will be balloted on an enterprise agreement that will intensify the assault on jobs and conditions.
Australian and New Zealand transport workers must unite their struggles
By the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 28 February 2018
The trade unions in both New Zealand and Australia are seeking to isolate workers in each country from each other in order to facilitate further attacks on jobs, wages and conditions.
Australia: Locked-out Glencore coal mine workers face new provocations
By Terry Cook, 26 February 2018
As the union isolates the Oaky North workers, the Fair Work Ombudsman is investigating a protest picket near the Queensland mine.
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
24 February 2018
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Australia: Union enforces another massive pay cut at Griffin Coal
By Terry Cook, 20 February 2018
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union isolated a protracted strike of maintenance workers before striking a sell-out enterprise agreement.
Australia: The 2014 union sell-out of NSW rail workers
By Oscar Grenfell, 20 February 2018
The last enterprise agreement imposed by the rail union created the conditions for mass sackings and continuous pro-business restructuring.
Australian transport workers forum discusses the necessity for a new political perspective
SEP holds online meeting on the New South Wales rail dispute
By our reporter, 19 February 2018
The meeting created the conditions for public transport and other workers in Australia and New Zealand to grapple with the political issues raised by the fight to defend jobs, wages and conditions.
General strike in French Polynesia against undermining of pensions
By Tom Peters, 17 February 2018
Thousands of people took part in the strike and rallied in Tahiti against the government’s attack on pensions.
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
17 February 2018
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Australia: Union confirms sell-out agreement in NSW rail dispute includes job cuts
By Oscar Grenfell, 12 February 2018
The real purpose of the marginal pay rise is to provide the union and the government with a pretext for imposing cuts to jobs and conditions.
Workers strike in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
10 February 2018
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Australia: Union pushes sell-out deal in NSW rail dispute
By Oscar Grenfell, 8 February 2018
The New South Wales government has made clear that its offer of marginal wage increases is tied to sweeping cuts to working conditions.
Australia: Why the RTBU is muzzling railworkers
By Oscar Grenfell, 7 February 2018
Having used the ruling of the Fair Work Commission to suppress a strike, for which rail workers voted, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union is trying to silence them and censor any expressions of opposition.
Australian electricity unions suspend industrial action
By Terry Cook, 6 February 2018
Without any mass meetings, the trade unions called off industrial action by thousands of Ausgrid workers.
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