Labor and Liberal, workers united in fear of the future
SMH, November 16, 2005, by Andrew Clark
...a Gymea Bay construction worker, risked his employer's wrath to join the protest: "I've copped it from work for being here - I'll have to make up the time.
"I'm worried about the young guys. I'm in a fairly good position in my company but these young guys - they shouldn't be used as commodities." - http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/labor-and-liberal-workers-united-in-fear-of-the-future/2005/11/15/1132016796614.html [1]
Mass rallies rock Australia
The Standard (Hong Kong) Lawrence Bartlett
Hundreds of thousands of workers staged what unionists called the biggest protest in Australia's history against Prime Minister John Howard's proposed labor reforms.- http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=17&art_id=5697&sid=5491103&con_type=1 [2]
Laws don't protect workers: Andrews
News.com.au November 16, 2005
CONTINUED labour market regulation would not protect Australian jobs in another recession, Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews said today. Mr Andrews accused the ACTU of refusing to accept the necessity of workplace reforms, pointing to the current riots in France and Australia's own past as evidence that rigid labour laws don't create jobs. - http://finance.news.com.au/story/0,10166,17264357-31037,00.html [3]
Protests against industrial reforms held in Australia
Xinhua (China View) 15 Nov 2005
However, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said more than 95 percent of workers had ignored the call-out to join the protest against the federal government's Work Choices Bill, currently the subject of a Senate inquiry.
In the past few days, big companies and the government have been warning the workers about the risk of considerable fines and damages for economic losses if they went on strike in breach of their employment agreements. - http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-11/15/content_3784567.htm [4]
Blog views
Workchoices: is this type of industrial relations reform necessary?
The Tower Blog, November 13, 2005
I have owned my small business for 25 years. Across I employ over 50 people. Most full time and some casual. I see no reason for workplace reform of their extent bring brought in and am concerned that the changes will force me to act in ways I am not comfortable with.
I would have liked the government to consult more with small business as I know I am not alone in thinking these changes are bad for the community and bad for small business. This is not socially responsible legislation - http://www.towersystems.com.au/tower_blog/archives/2005/11/workchoices_is.html [5]
Reflections of an industrial relations protest
Burn the Phoenix, 15 Nov 2005
Attending the protest today I was struck by the deep feeling of sentiment in the crowd (which reportedly numbered about 175 000 in Melbourne), which was coupled with a sense of listlessness, as though they were searching for a point of unity in a society so patently devoid of it, regardless of people’s present desires. Doubtlessly the only sense of unity was that aroused by opposition to John Howard and his Liberal government, or by superficial catch-cries about rights, wages, and conditions. - http://burnthephoenix.blogspot.com/2005/11/reflections-of-industrial-relations.html [6]
Industrial relations campaign update
Red Rag, 15 Nov 2005
175 000 in Melbourne, 30 000 in Sydney, about 60 000 across Queensland, tens of thousands in Adelaide, at least 10 000 in Perth (despite the oppressive heat), tens of thousands more at smaller rallies in regional centres — and even a contingent in New Zealand. The Community Day of Protest was a resounding success. Melbourne was especially successful — the turnout doubled expectations and represented the city’s “biggest political protest on record”. -
IR Social engineering will go ahead, despite protests
The Daily Magnet, November 15, 2005
Kevin Andrews today said IR changes which will impact on working and middle class Australians will go ahead despite thousands of Australian workers protesting around the country today. - http://thedailymagnet.blogspot.com/2005/11/ir-social-engineering-will-go-ahead.html [7]