Upcoming Events

EXCELLENCE EVERYWHERE EVERY DAY EXCEPT IF EPWORTH HAVE TO PAY

2008-05-09T11:37:00.002+10:00

RALLY for a decent EBA
9:00am Tuesday
13 May 2008
front of Epworth Hospital
Bridge Road Richmond

EXCELLENCE EVERYWHERE EVERY DAY EXCEPT IF EPWORTH HAVE TO PAY

Epworth Dieticians, Sleep and respiratory Scientists and Psychologists have not had a pay rise in 18 months and have been in active negotiations with Epworth Healthcare since September 07 over wages and conditions

All EBA matters were settled except wage rates and operative date in March 2008

The most recent offer made to the Union leaves the group of employees that have lead negotiations and actively pursued wage claims worse off than their peers in comparable institutions

No other health agency public or private has discriminated against union members
in this way

PROTEST UNJUST WAGES & ANTI WORKER BEHAVIOUR BY:

Demanding that a fair and equitable pay offer in this dispute is made to the union ASAP

Join us in protest by emailing the CEO: Alan.kinkade@epworth.org.au

Fair Deal for Solar Power Rally

2008-05-05T18:13:00.002+10:00

8.30am-9.30am Thursday
May 8
Parliament House
Spring St
Melbourne
Download Rally Leaflet

This coming Thursday tell Premier John Brumby and the Victorian Government that we want a REAL Feed-In Tariff for Victoria's solar future.

The Victorian Government is about to make a decision on the price of energy generated from renewable sources (called a feed in tariff). This will greatly influence the uptake of solar and other renewable energy technologies. The Governments decision is expected to be unfavorable.

KEY POINTS:

Victoria has the most greenhouse-intensive stationary energy sector in the developed world, responsible for around 65% of the states greenhouse gas emissions.
More jobs per MWh as solar PV generates at least 30 jobs per installed MW - more than three times that for coal-fired electricity[1];
Model proposed for Victoria has been adopted by Germany and has seen the creation of 27,000 jobs in the solar PV industry.

Look forward to seeing you there!

more info: Imogen Schoots, Environment and Research Officer ETU | 8329 0010

Friendship Djerrip Festival

2008-03-21T12:48:00.002+11:00

2pm-12am Sat
March 29 2008
251 High St, Northcote
Uniting Church

PROGRAM OF EVENTS
Talks and workshops (2pm-7pm) - IN THE CHURCH
(indigenous speakers covering topics such as history, language, craft)

Kids and family entertainment (3pm-7pm) - IN THE CHURCH HALL
(including TimTim, Juggularity, West Papuan Cultural Group. More to be confirmed)

THE FRIENDSHIP DJERRIP FESTIVAL 2008 IS AN ALCOHOL FREE EVENT . In keeping with the healing and healthy living practices of the Maya Healing Centre

The Welcome to Country and Friendship Ceremony (7:15pm-7:45pm)
Courtyard Stage.
• Welcome to country by Ringo Terrick Wurundjeri Elder
• Speech by Maya Centre director Uncle Reg Blow.
• "Thank you for your Welcome" song by Jan Wositzky. Sung by Bridge the Gap Choir.
• ACES - Elders Choir (Aboriginal Community Elders Service, East Brunswick, Melbourne)

Earth Hour (8pm-9pm) - IN THE CHURCH HALL
Ian Pidd (theatre director) will curate this hour of storytelling and theatre.
Fitting in with international Earth Hour, no lights will be used for this period, just candles.

Evening Concert (9pm-midnight) - IN THE CHURCH HALL
Live music featuring:indigenous hip-hop act Tjimba and the Yung Warriors, Josh Owen solo and more.

Art Auction (8:30pm onwards) - IN SYNERGY GALLERY
The exhibition will open on March the 19th at 6pm at Synergy Gallery, street front 251 High St, Northcote. It will feature Maya artists work and many non indigenous artists.

The exhibition will run for two weeks leading up the festival with the auction been held on the night of the festival starting at 8.30pm.

The Friendship Djerrip* Festival is an annual event that will provide an opportunity for non-Indigenous Australians to express their respect and support for Indigenous Australians and their culture. It aims at fostering relationships, partnerships and understanding between non-Indigenous and Indigenous people, while exploring our respective and shared histories, culture and stories.

Melbourne Palm Island Solidarity Rally

2008-03-18T20:56:00.003+11:00

Melbourne Palm Island Solidarity Rally
Saturday 5 April, 12 noon
Assemble outside the Aboriginal Health Services
186 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy

Drop all Charges against Lex Wotton! Justice for Mulrunji!
Stop all Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Now!

Respected Palm Island resident, Lex Wotton, is facing charges of "riot with destruction" ‹ a charge that could lead to a jail sentence of more than ten years. Wotton¹s trial commences in Brisbane on 7 April 2008. With 400 others, Lex participated in the November 2004 protest against the killing of his friend Mulrunji in the Palm Island watch house while in police custody.

Lex Wotton continues to be harassed and persecuted as part of the crackdown that followed.

Far from being a "riot", the Palm Island protest was an act of anti-racist resistance. And, when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty! Anyone who has ever protested against injustice has a stake in the outcome of Lex Wotton's case. Stop the racist political persecution of this Palm Island resident. Defend the right to oppose racist state brutality. Drop the charges now!

March up Johnston Street, then rally outside the Fitzroy Police Station

Organised by the Indigenous Social Justice Association ‹Melbourne

Global Day of Action against Unilever

2008-02-21T21:01:00.002+11:00

Support Unilever mercury workers in Kodaikanal India
International industrial action & solidarity
Friday 10am
7 March
Unilever offices
990 Toorak Road Camberwell

Unilever bought a thermometer factory in Kodaikanal in 1986. The factory was on a mountain in Tamil Nadu in South India, to take advantage of the low wages and the cold climate suitable for mercury manufacturing. But they neglected to tell the workers that mercury is a poison! Workers were manufacturing, and cleaning up mercury spills, with no protection. Mercury waste was dumped in the forests near the factory and in town.

Many deaths and illnesses later, the workers were alerted to the disaster and started a campaign to demand clean-up and compensation. On 7 March 2001 Unilever closed the factory dismissing all workers. Some cleanup has now occurred. But the workers and their families have received no compensation.

The workers at Kodaikanal ask you to support their demands:

Clean up all mercury from Kodaikanal's environment
Pay compensation to the workers exposed to mercury and their families
Long term medical monitoring and assistance for Kodaikanal workers and residents

more info: kodaikanalstruggle.blogspot.com | www.iuf.org/www/en

Rally Organised by Australia Asia Worker Links: 03 9663 7277 | aawl@aawl.org.au | aawl.org.au

Latin American Solidarity Network, workshop-gathering

2007-12-11T16:29:00.000+11:00

6:30pm Thursday
December 13,
Victorian Trades Hall
Crn Victoria & Lygon Sts, Carlton

Inspiring... Resisting... Creating new possibilities for humanity

Latin America turning left?
What's going on with grassroots organisations and its struggles

LASNET present Rosalio Tinta from Bolivia grassroots social movements and Cristian Quechupan from Indigenous nation 'Mapuche' from Chile and Argentina.

Come and share histories and experiences of struggles and movements of resistance

more info: www.latinlasnet.org

Outgames and Conference

2007-12-11T16:00:00.000+11:00

The inaugural Asia Pacific Outgames will be held in Melbourne from 30 January - 3
February 2008.

Outgames is a multi-sport, culture and human rights event that is timed to coincide with the Midsumma Festival - Melbourne's premier gay and lesbian cultural and arts festival.

As part of Outgames, a two-day GLBTI human rights conference will be held on Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 January 2008.

Union Pride will be presenting a workshop on workers rights.

Download Rainbow Conversations Conference pdf.

Register ASAP and be a part of this important human rights conference!

You can register online at: www.melbourneoutgames.org

more info: Sarah 0403 440 257.

Atherton Gardens Estate - Christmas Party

2007-12-08T18:33:00.000+11:00

1pm Saturday
December 15
Atherton Gardens Estate
140 Brunswick St, Fitzroy

Please join us to celebrate.

Atherton Gardens Residents Association, the Fitzroy Social Club and various community groups invite you to our annual end of the year Christmas Party.

World Human Rights Day Public Forum

2007-12-07T17:10:00.000+11:00

Self-Determination Not Intervention: The NT Intervention and the Struggle for Aboriginal Justice
10 December
6:30pm for 7pm start
Swanston Hall
Melbourne Town Hall
cnr Swanston & Collins Sts, Melbourne
download leaflet

The Australian government has failed to sign on to the UN Declaration on Indigenous Peoples' Rights because it disagreed with the phrase 'self-determination'. Indigenous peoples' rights are good enough for the United Nations, so why not Australia?

Indigenous disadvantage exists throughout Australia and sovereignty still hasn't been recognised. Neither major party is stepping up to the plate on this issue by providing the necessary recognition, compensation and support.

The Federal Government's emergency intervention in the NT overrides the Racial Discrimination Act and undermines Indigenous self-determination and land rights. It has not been developed in consultation with Indigenous communities and fails to address the central issues of poverty, lack of health care, basic services and infrastructure that the government has been ignoring for so long.

Organise by the Alliance for Indigenous Self Determination - an open, Melbourne-based alliance of groups and individuals.

more: recent actions

FairWear Sweat Free Christmas Carols

2007-12-07T16:38:00.000+11:00

5.30pm Friday
14th December
crn Bourke & Elizabeth St, Melbourne.
download leaflet

We have made our list and checked it twice, to try to find out who has been naughty and nice to outworkers this year. We're going to take some Christmas cheer to the Scrooge label that has topped our naughty list this Christmas season.

Santa hats and songbooks provided. As Big By Fiona is a childrenswear company, feel free to bring your kids along to tell Fiona that kids reckon fashion stinks if its made under sweatshop conditions.

more info: 9251 5270 | www.fairwear.org.au

Climate Action 08 forum

2007-12-06T16:51:00.000+11:00

Climate action ‘08
7pm Thursday
6 December 2007
Edinburgh Gardens Community Room
Brunswick St
North Fitzroy
Melways 2C 1C, under grandstand, enter Brunswick St (nth of pedestrian crossing)

Join us in a post-election “where-to-next” forum with Louise Morris (Environment Victoria/ The Big Switch), Philip Sutton (Greenleap), David Spratt (CarbonEquity) and Cam Walker (FoE). December 6 [Melbourne] Climate action 08

The major political parties don’t have plans to solve the real climate crisis.

So next year we will need to campaign strongly on what really needs to be done and not let the new government off the hook. There are key questions not being talked about by most politicians and the media:

why is climate change happening more quickly than expected?
what does the Arctic sea-ice melt 100 years “ahead of schedule” mean?
what are the lessons from recent community-based climate campaigns and what are the opportunities in 2008?
can “politics as usual” actually solve the problem, or do we need to recognise we are in a sustainability emergency?
are carbon rationing and personal carbon allowances more fair and effective than what big business and politicians want to do?

more info: Friends of the Earth | 94198700 | cam.walker@foe.org.au

Construction Industry Pinic Dates

2007-11-16T17:05:00.000+11:00

MELBOURNE
MONDAY 3 DECEMBER
MOONEE VALLEY RACECOURSE
FAMILY TICKET - $15

NOTE: PRICES OF TICKETS FOR FOLLOWING PICNICS MAY VARY

PORTLAND
MONDAY 3
PORTLAND SOCCER GROUNDS

LATROBE VALLEY
MONDAY 3 DECEMBER
TRARALGON SHOW GROUNDS

MILDURA
MONDAY 10 DECEMBER (Correct)
JAYCEE PARK, HUGH KING DRIVE

BALLARAT
MONDAY 3 DECEMBER
EUREKA STOCKADE PARK

GEELONG
MONDAY 3 DECEMBER
GEELONG RACING CLUB

BENDIGO
MONDAY DECEMBER 3
BENDIGO JOCKEYS CLUB, WHITEHILLS

ALBURY/WODONGA
MONDAY 10 DECEMBER (Correct)
WODONGA RAIDERS FOOTY CLUB

SHEPPARTON
MONDAY DECEMBER 3
PRINCESS PARK (SWANS FOOTBALL CLUB)

Big Day Out Against Racism - Saturday Nov 17

2007-11-14T20:42:00.000+11:00

March for Multiculturalism
1pm Sat
Nov 17
State Library
Swanston St, Melb

Community Festival in support of African Communities in Australia
4pm Sat
Nov 17
Victoria University
Nicholson Street Campus
Crn Nicholson & Buckley St, Footscray
3 minutes from the Footscray Station.

The Western suburbs RACISM NO Community Festival in support of African communities in Australia has joined forces with the March for Multiculturalism.

Festival performers include:

The Conch
Ajak Kwai
Busted Onions
The Brothahood
& more.

We reject the Federal Government's attempt to isolate and marginalise the African community in Australia, and its targeting of the Sudanese community in particular.

We welcome African migrants and refugees and celebrate their valuable contributions to our community. Come and celebrate our multiculturalism and support the African-Australian community!

Together we can stand in solidarity and friendship.

more info: www.racismno.org | 0433 520 012

A Night of Culture, Music & Solidarity in Melbourne

2007-11-08T20:10:00.000+11:00

Direct from Latin America, Bolivia, Chile
7pm SATURDAY
NOVEMBER 10
Church Hall
10A Hyde Street,
Footscray

Night in Solidarity with Latin American grassroots movements. Traditional Latin American Music with Rebeca Godoy a people's struggle musician

Keynote speakers:

Cristian Quechupan
Mapuche Indigenous activist from Chile, presenting a Multimedia presentation
Rosalio Tinta Leader from Coalition of grassroot social movements from Cochabamba Bolivia

General Admission $20 Solidarity, $10 waged, $5 Students
Bookings: (03) 9481 2273 - 0413 597 315 - 0400 914 944

more info: Latin American Solidarity Network (LASNET) | www.latinlasnet.org

Our Flag Banned by the Government Time to Rebel

2007-11-01T20:13:00.000+11:00

EUREKA REBELLION ANNIVERSARY RALLY
5.00pm Friday
23 November
State Library steps
Swanston St
Melbourne

download rally leaflet

Speakers include:

Robert Richter QC,
Michael Long,
Dean Mighell: State Secretary ETU,
Father Bob Maguire,
Eureka Descendants
Performers: Shane Howard and Archie Roach

“We swear by the Southern Cross to stand truly by each
other and fight to defend our rights and liberties.”
— The Eureka rebels’ oath

The Howard Government has banned the Eureka flag on building sites around Australia. This is an outrageous attack on our democratic rights and freedoms. Where will the Eureka flag be banned from next?

The Eureka flag was first raised by Ballarat gold miners on 29 November, 1854, in a rebellion against the oppression and injustice of the British colonial authority. It became a symbol of just rebellion, and has been raised by ordinary people in many diverse struggles for justice ever since.

Among the 20 nationalities that took part in the Eureka uprising were English, Italian, Jamaican, Irish, Dutch, German and black and white Americans. They were united
and pledged to stand by each other under the Eureka flag. Australia’s multi-culturalism was born at the Eureka Stockade. The Eureka flag continues to be a proud and popular national icon of ordinary people. We will defend it!

more info: Spirit of Eureka Committee, Call Shirley 0417 456 001

Nuclear Free Australia Benefit Gig

2007-11-01T17:05:00.001+11:00

Musicians and bands take to the stage to support a Nuclear Free Australia
7pm Friday
November 9th
Noise Bar
291 Albert Street
Brunswick
cost: $16 on door. or $10.00 | pre sale www.greentix.com

Monique Brumby
The Band Who Knew Too Much
The Conch; Rosie Burgess
Jed Rowe

All monies raised will be used to further Nuclear Free Australia's community campaign against the dirty and dangerous nuclear industry in Australia.

more info: nukefreeaus@green.net.au | 0417 506 150 | www.nukefreeaus.org

Solidarity or Community

2007-10-15T16:17:00.000+10:00

Philosophy and antidotes to fragmentation
Hegel Summer School 2008
14-16 February
University of Melbourne

Fuelled by consumerism, individualism and corporate greed, the collapse of social cohesion is the central problem of our time. Notions of collectivity and identity are crucial to how we orient to achieve social change.

Jean-Philippe Deranty: Hegel's 3 concepts of solidarity
Julie Connolly: Solidarity and skepticism
Nicole Pepperell: Marx and the critical theory project
Geoff Boucher: Solidarity and difference

Inside Burma: Land of Fear and Rebellion

2007-10-15T16:11:00.000+10:00

6:30pm Thursday
18th October
Resistance Bookshop
Lvl 5, Druids House
407 Swanston St (opp RMIT)

Cheap meal available from 6:30pm, meeting starts at 7pm

Burmese Speaker: Mee Mee Oung (from the '88 Generation')
John Pilger's film: 'Inside Burma: Land of Fear'

'Inside Burma: Land of Fear' was first broadcast in May 1996. It was written and presented by David Munro. The film de4tailed the many injustices and human rights abuses that have so badly marked the country's past and present.

more info: 9639 8622

Westgate Memorial

2007-10-12T17:11:00.000+10:00

The Legacy of our Fallen Comrades Lives on
11:30 am Monday
15 October
Westgate Memorial
Douglas Parade
Spotswood.

On 15 October 1070, 37 years ago, the Westgate Bridge collapsed, killing 35 workers and injuring many more. CFMEU Assistant Secretary, Tommy Watson, was working on the bridge when it fell.

“The Westgate Bridge disaster will never be forgotten. All of us working in the construction industry owe a lot to the blokes that died on the bridge that day. Without them, we would not have the safety procedures and laws that help protect us today,“ he said.

Also being remembered on the memorial day will be Joe Owens, a rigger from Strokes Town, Ross Common, Ireland. Joe was killed in 1973, while working with Tommy, a year after the bridge re-opened for construction; increasing the death toll during construction to 36.

“When we honour the lives of those 36 blokes that died on that bridge, it reminds us of why we must never let anything like it happen again,” said Tommy.

All are welcome to join the workers, family and friends in a short memorial service on Monday

Injured Workers' Rights Forum

2007-10-12T17:01:00.000+10:00

Victorian Trades Hall Council Return to Work Unit
Invites you to a free information session about Injured Workers' Rights

6-8pm Wed
17 October
Whitehorse Centre
397 Whitehorse Road
Nunawading, VIC. 3131
Free entry! All Welcome!

Workers Compensation System
Injured Workers' Rights to Return to Safe and Sustainable Work
How do the WorkChoices Laws Impact on Injured Workers

Finger food, coffee and tea will be provided!

more info: Ellen 0408 339 720 | Bronwyn 0431 749 972

NIBS EVENT - WORKERS' IN HISTORY

2007-10-07T12:51:00.000+10:00

CONSTRUCTING FEAR OR BUILDING DISSENT
7pm Wednesday
10 October
La Notte Restaurant
140 Lygon St, Carlton
Entry by donation. The DVD and Verity's book will be on sale

Come and see the powerful new film, CONSTRUCTING FEAR, about the Howard government's witchhunt against the CFMEU, and the attempt to destroy militant unions through intimidation and legal threats. Event attendees can claim a 2-for-1 coupon to see John Pilger's new film: THE WAR AGAINST DEMOCRACY.

Danielle Archer (Young Unionist Network) will facilitate a discussion after the film.
Speakers:

Verity Burgmann (Author of GREEN BANS, RED UNION a book about the Builders Labourers' Federation of the 1970s and early 1980s. Verity will discuss how unions were more successful in the past).
Joe Loh (Director of Constructing Fear).
Davie Thomason (rank and file CFMEU member).

To sample the film, take a moment to check out the webpage at www.constructingfear.com

more info: New International Bookshop nibs@nibs.org.au

Latin American & Asia Pacific International Solidarity Forum

2007-09-29T17:05:00.000+10:00

Fighting and organising globally against neo-liberalism

Trade unionists, social movement activists, academics, students, progressive political parties and all interested members of the community are invited to participate in the Latin American & Asia Pacific International Solidarity Forum. The four-day forum aims to strengthen international coordination and solidarity with those fighting neoliberalism.

More than 30 representatives from progressive organisations and campaigns in 22 countries will address the forum

more info: www.solidarityforum2007.org

Alliance for Indigenous Self Determination

2007-09-29T01:14:00.000+10:00

Next Organising Meeting
6.30pm Monday
October 1
FOE (Friends of the Earth)
316 Smith St
Collingwood

A new group comprising both indigenous and non indigenous supporters has recently been formed over concerns about the Federal Government's invention in the Northern Territory. The group is seeking union support and plans to organise a protest rally and forum before the election.

Rally to defend Union Solidarity activist Ken Mooney

2007-09-20T13:32:00.000+10:00

9.00am-9.45am Monday
October 1
Sunshine Court
10 Foundry Road
Sunshine (Melway 26 H10)
Please download and distribute press release

Community activist and key Union Solidarity supporter Ken Mooney will appear before the Sunshine Magistrates Court on the 1st of October. Ken is contesting a fine imposed by the Brimbank Council for allegedly interjecting from the public gallery during a meeting considering the future of the site of the Sunshine Swimming Pool.

"Mr Mooney was dissatisfied with the Council’s handling of this issue, in terms of consultation with and due regard for the views of the affected community and appropriate decision-making processes within the Council. He intends to contest the charge against him on the basis that subjecting him to a fine for commenting on matters of legitimate political concern, which were being considered by his political representatives, is inconsistent with the general freedom of communication necessary for the maintenance of democratic government.

Ken Mooney has been fined for failing to comply with the direction of the Chair at a Meeting of the Brimbank Council after having been called to order by the Chair; in alleged breach of Section 53 of the Meeting Procedure Local Law No: 1 of 2002."

Background:
After years of neglect and disuse the Brimbank Council proposed destroying an outdoor 50meter pool as part of an upgrade to the Sunshine Leisure Centre. Community and Union action successfully forced the Brimbank Council and the State Government to retain outdoor aquatic facilities at the leisure centre. Community activists such as Ken Mooney exercised their democratic rights and attended council meetings to voice opposition to the council’s plans.

Union Solidarity calls on its supporters, union members and community activists to attend the rally. The ability of local activists to defend the local community is a vital right to retain.

more info: 0412 484 094 | Press Release | Save Sunshine Pool

Film night: Constructing Fear

2007-09-17T21:24:00.000+10:00

6.30pm Thursday
20 September
Campbell Turnbull Library Meeting Room
220 Melville Rd
Brunswick West.

Film night Constructing Fear – a new documentary by Joe Loh A world of secret tribunals, threats of jail terms and crippling fines. This is the world of the building industry today under the Howard Government's new laws, armed with its Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) – the agency the Labor Party wants to keep till 2010 if Labor is elected.
Don't miss this film.

Joining us on the night to speak about the film will be the director, Joe Loh.

more info: 9639 8622 | 0413 326797 | www.constructingfear.com.au