2011 October | STRONGER UNIONS

Qantas dispute (updated): Australia grounded by ‘$5 million man’

Baggage reclaim stands empty in Sydney during the stand-off. Photo Matthew Perkins.

I must admit to a personal interest in the current Qantas dispute in Australia as I’m due to fly home from Melbourne on a Qantas jet on Thursday. But it means I’ve got a ringside seat in the dispute: one where the TUC fully supports our Australian colleagues. For several weeks, three Qantas unions have been taking limited industrial action over a range of complex issues, mostly about job security and work practices. On Friday, Qantas’ AGM saw CEO Alan Joyce take a 70% pay increase, making him the “$5 million man”. On Saturday, he shocked Australia by announcing that all Qantas planes were grounded forthwith, and that the domestic workforce would be locked out from Monday.

Posted on October 30th, 2011 by Owen Tudor filed under: Global solidarity

Owen Tudor

Fijian trade union leader arrested as he steps off plane

Daniel Urai, FTUC President

Daniel Urai, the President of the Fiji TUC, was arrested as he stepped from the plane that returned him to Fiji from the Commonwealth People’s Forum in Perth WA on Saturday. He had been in Perth to brief world leaders – such as Australian PM Julia Gillard who he met on Wednesday – and civil society representatives about the Fijian dictatorship. In particular, he was seeking condemnation of the Essential Industries Decree which bans collective bargaining and strikes in industries like telecoms, finance and air travel. But as if just to prove that they have learnt nothing and certainly haven’t changed, the Fijian dictatorship has now arrested Daniel without charge. This move has been condemned already by the Australian, British and New Zealand trade union movements, and further condemnations and an action that individual members can take are likely soon.

Posted on October 30th, 2011 by Owen Tudor filed under: Global solidarity

Carl Roper

A chance to make a difference working for the TUC

We’re looking for talented organisers and campaigners to fill six Local Organiser posts likely to be based in the TUC’s Southern & Eastern, North West and Midlands regions.

We want to hear from people who can make the most of a challenging and exciting opportunity to work with unions, union activists and members of the community to support and and develop local campaign activity. The closing date for applications is November 11th and selection is via an Assessment Centre and interview.

Additional details, including job description, person specification and application form are available from the TUC website

Posted on October 29th, 2011 by Carl Roper filed under: Union organising

Owen Tudor

Commonwealth unions tell Australian PM: abuse of workers’ rights widespread

Australian PM Julia Gillard at CHOGM 2011. Photo ©Commonwealth Secretariat/Annaliese Frank

I’m taking part in the People’s Forum that happens before each biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), this time in Perth WA. Today we met – courtesy of the ACTU – the host, Australian PM Julia Gillard to tell her how widespread violations of trade union rights are in the Commonwealth, especially focusing on Fiji and Swaziland.

Posted on October 26th, 2011 by Owen Tudor filed under: Global solidarity

Owen Tudor

Fiji: unions begin to tighten the screw on the military dictatorship

Trade unionists protest in Sydney, against ongoing attacks on workers’ rights in Fiji (Photo: Alison Rahill)

As reported yesterday on Touchstone, Fijian Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama chose to travel to Geneva when the Commonwealth barred him from the Heads of Government Meeting this week, addressing an International Telecommunications Union conference.

Posted on October 25th, 2011 by Owen Tudor filed under: Global solidarity

Carl Roper

Occupy! What’s next for unions and the new social movements?

Poster at Occupy LSX. Photo: victoriaintheworld

It’s not unusual when the TUC’s Leading Change group visits the US each year for the trip to coincide with a significant event that provides a context for the discussions we have.

In 2005 the US Labour movement had split just a few months before we arrived and in 2008 the trip came in the initial aftermath of the financial meltdown and just days before the election of Barack Obama. The context to our visit to Harvard University last week was provided by the Occupy Wall Street and other similar protests in what now amounts to around 900 cities across the globe.

All week, alongside the presentations and discussions on strategies for trade union revival, a debate took place on what, if anything, was the significance of the ‘Occupy’ protests for the anti cuts movement and trade unions and what it would be appropriate for unions to do to provide support.

Posted on October 24th, 2011 by Carl Roper filed under: Unions in the community

Becky Wright

What is the Diploma in Organising?

Group work from the Diploma session on research

If I was to ask you to do a Spectrum of Allies analysis would you know where to start?

For the Organising Academy, the last few weeks have been all about ends and beginnings. As our new programme for 2011-12 begins, students from last year have begun to submit portfolios of learning and graduate to continue their union journey.

Posted on October 24th, 2011 by Becky Wright filed under: Union organising