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Union support for Australian workers

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Union support for Australian workers

Tuesday 15 November was an international solidarity day with Australian trade unions who are fighting to maintain workers' rights in the face of repressive new industrial relations legislation proposed by John Howard's Government

Trade unions around the world protested at their local Australian Embassy. In the UK, unions were encouraged to hand in letters to the Australian High Commission. TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber delivered his letter at 11am (see press release: http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-10992-f0.cfm )

Letters and messages of support were delivered to the High Commission throughout the day , a selection of which are below:

Warren Town, SoR delivering a letter to the Australian High CommissionWarren Town, Director of Industrial Relations for the Society of Radiographers delivering their letter. A copy of the full text of the letter can be downloaded below:

Society of Radiographers letter to the Australian High Commission (Pdf download 348kb)

Extract from a letter from Chris Keates, General Secretary of NASUWT:

'I am writing to register with you the serious concerns of NASUWT, the largest union representing teachers and head teachers in the UK, about your Government’s plans to introduce repressive new industrial relations legislation, which will dramatically reduce the rights of workers to union representation, collective bargaining, minimum employment standards and protection from unfair dismissal'

Download a copy of the full text of the NASUWT letter below:

NASUWT letter to the Australian High Commission (Word document)

Extract from a letter from Paul Mackney, General Secretary of NATFHE (on behalf of AUT and NATFHE)

'Our concern is, in part, out of solidarity with the workers of Australia (many of whom were born or have roots in the UK) and our colleagues in the Australian Council of Trade Unions. We believe that the changes proposed will fundamentally damage Australia’s reputation as a country where workers get “a fair go”. But we are also concerned that the laws being proposed would breach the conventions of the International Labour Organisation and thereby undermine the rights of workers everywhere, including in Britain'

Download a copy of the full text of the letter below:

NATFHE letter to the Australian High Commission (Word document)

Extract from speech by Bob Crow, RMT, at a rally in Southport, Australia

These laws add an even nastier twist to those in the standard Thatcher textbook, and British trade unionists will want to stand shoulder to shoulder with their Australian brothers and sisters in resisting them"

Download a copy of the RMT press release below:

RMT press release: Bob Crow brings solidarity to Australian trade unionists fighting anti-union laws (Word document)

Extract from a letter sent by Keith Norman, General Secretary of ASLEF

'What you are proposing seems similar to the proposals introduced by the Thatcher Government of the 1990’s. That legislation was disastrous to both employers and employee’s alike. Some of that legislation has been replaced by the current Labour Government'

View the full letter below

ASLEF letter to the Australian High Commission (Word Document)

Extract from a letter sent by Ed Blissett, Regional Secretary GMB

'It will be a regrettable day if Australia should slump into a position of being seen on the world stage as a nation which no longer wishes to protect the rights of workers but instead chooses to attack for its own sectarian reasons, the right of workers to be treated fairly'

View the full letter below

GMB letter to the Australian Ministry for Workplace Relations (Word document)

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