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Australian trade unionists speak up against anti-union laws

Issue date
ACTU campaign videos

MCG Rally against Anti-Union Laws

29 November 2006

On 29 November 2006, the first anniversary of the new industrial relations laws in Australia, three hundred thousand workers demonstrated all over the country against those laws. The main rally was in the MCG stadium in Melbourne, and some of the speeches have been posted on YouTube, so you can see them too.

' Get off your backsides!' Two workers kick off the rally

Annette lost her conditions in return for a 2 cent payrise. Gary was sacked and was told to reapply for his job for 30% less. These workers kicked off the 2006 National Day of Action against Howard's IR Laws at the MCG. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhIkL0ldBrI

Hughesy stands up for rights at work, Nov 30 rally

Comedian Dave 'Hughesy' Hughes at the ACTU's rally for Rights at Work at the MCG. After this footage he climbed Light Tower 4 and took a photo of the 55,000+ crowd. www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BcLXqW2_sI

AWA individual contracts hit real people, real hard.

At the Rights at Work rally against Howard's IR laws, ACTU President Sharan Burrow says the Howard Government 'wants Australians to sit down and shut up, and take what the employer offers.' Real people tell their stories about AWAs that cut pay and conditions. www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3VOXSRipmU

Stick together, we can win! The Heinemann Electric story

Imagine working a full week and getting a payslip that says $0. When their employer used Howard's IR laws to get out of paying workers, Heinemann Electric staff took action. After 7 weeks, working with union support, they won. They told their story at the ACTU's 2006 rally for rights at work. www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRQy0bbD4lU

John Howard's IR laws are just not cricket!

At the ACTU rally for rights at work, comedian Gerry Connelly impersonates the Queen, John Howard's employer. 'John Howard is just not cricket!' www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NirmEpBU6o

Community leaders blast John Howard's unfair work laws

ACTU Secretary Greg Combet talks about how the Rights at Work campaign has engaged people across the nation. Church groups, political leaders and even a former Reserve Bank Governor talk about the unfairness of John Howard's IR laws. www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTL6E-WFpHA

Kim Beazley 'we are going to rip up these laws'

ALP leader Kim Beazley delivers a passionate speech at the November 30 rally against Howard's IR laws. The crowd goes off as Beazley vows that it is the fight of his life. ACTU Secretary Greg Combet introduces him. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nHFiF-J1LY

107 workers could get fined $28,600 each by the Howard Govt

John Howard's new IR laws hit the building industry particularly hard. At the 2006 rally for rights at work, Greg Combet tells the story of 107 Perth workers who face losing their house and all they've worked for due to these laws. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPpMQnbHUx0

Bernie thanks unions as James Hardie brought to justice

At the November 30 rally, Bernie Banton, who suffers from an asbestos-related disease, thanks unions for helping in the campaign to bring James Hardie to justice. Bernie shares a hug with ACTU Secretary Greg Combet who says the campaign was one of the hardest he's ever fought. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nTa5WnB3as

Your Rights at Work Worth Voting For

A new campaign starts today, says ACTU Secretary Greg Combet. Unions will campaign to get rid of Howard's IR laws by voting against the Liberals at the 2007 election. Watch the MCG go off as a special message is revealed. Greg tells the massive crowd, 'please join with us, and over the next 12 months let's give it everything we've got.' www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5J1_8mU

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