Upcoming Events

2009-02-01T17:21:00.002+11:00

Recent upcoming events (post Sept 2008) can be found:
http://www.unionsolidarity.org/labels/Upcoming%20Events.html

An archive of past upcoming events can be found in this section of the website.

Unite action against 7-Eleven

2008-09-02T17:21:00.004+10:00

Download leaflet

High prices and low pay!
12 – 1pm Friday
September 5th
outside 7-Eleven
263 Bourke Street City.

UNITE will be staging the first of many actions against 7-Eleven this Friday. UNITE is currently campaigning to organise 7-Eleven workers, some of whom get paid as little as $9 per hour. We call on 7-Eleven head office to urgently meet with UNITE officials so we can start to work through the many problems that exist.

We urge all of our supporters in the trade union movement to attend the action in solidarity with these struggling workers. Please bring union banners and flags on the day.

Did you know that most 7-Eleven workers are paid as little as $9-10 per hour?

At the same time 7-Eleven boasts that they are the largest operator of convenience stores in the world. They have more than 300 stores in Australia and turned over more than $1.1 billion last year!

7-Eleven mostly employ international students who have had little work experience and often don’t know their rights. They are bullied and threatened with visa cancellations if they complain about their poor conditions.

more info: Anthony 0417368215 | www.unite.org.au | info@unite.org.au | 93281555

Our Rights at Work Still Need Fighting For

2008-08-27T18:15:00.002+10:00

WorkChoices and the ABCC
6.00 - 8.00pm Wednesday
3 September
Bluestone Church Hall
10 Hyde Street, Footscray
(next to Maribyrnong Town Hall)

Light refreshments.

Speakers:

Cath Bowtell - ACTU
Brian Boyd - Victorian Trades Hall
Electrical Trades Union representative
CFMEU representative

What is happening with WorkChoices and the ABCC?
How do communities and unions organise to protect and improve working people's rights and conditions?

Jointly organised by the Western Suburbs Community and Unions Coalition and the Victorian Trades Hall.

More info: Shirley Winton 0417 456 001 | Bronwyn Halfpenny 96623511

Latin Fiesta/Solidarity Party

2008-08-20T17:52:00.002+10:00

Protecting our planet, defending our communities!
7pm-till late Saturday
August 23rd
Brunswick Town Hall
233 Sydney Rd, Brunswick

Entry: Tickets Pre-sell and bookings $20, Group of 4 $60.
At door $25, Solidarity $30, included a glass of wine.

Two fantastic Latin American bands

"Santa Pacha Bendita": Colombian band - ballads, rumba and Latin rhythms.
"Da Chos", Eight-piece Latin band - Salsa/Reggae and Merenge.

Special Guest:
Walter Shaw is from Mt Nancy town camp in Alice Springs, a 'prescribed area' under the Northern Territory Intervention, and is an Executive Member of the Tangentyere Council.

Through the night Multicultural Community Dance Groups and Music. Party-fiesta with high-energy and live performances will empower and strength our efforts to build a better world... Don't miss out this fantastic night and collective endeavour.

All proceeds to support the Latin American & Australasian Indigenous Solidarity Gathering,
23-26 October 2008, Melbourne Australia
infogathering@latinlasnet.org | http://www.latinlasnet.org/gathering/freedom.html

Bookings: 9481 2273 - 9419 8700 - 0400 914 944

Not BYO - Latin Canteen and food available

more info: lasnet@latinlasnet.org | www.latinlasnet.org

Fix WorkCover demonstration

2008-08-20T17:24:00.005+10:00

10.45 am for 11am start
Monday 25 August
Victorian WorkCover Authority
222 Exhibition Street
Melbourne

The Victorian Trades Hall Council WorkCover Committee has, with the endorsement of Secretary Brian Boyd, called a protest demonstration against the Victorian WorkCover Authority over a secret plan to implement the Hanks Review recommendations.

The VTHC has a copy of an internal VWA document that details the time table for the drawing up of legislation and its introduction into Parliament of changes based on the Hanks Review recommendations.

The document was prepared months before the Hanks Recommendations were finalised.

Affiliates are urged to encourage attendance at the protest and to visit the Fix WorkCover Campaign web site at www.fixworkcover.org where they can send a letter supporting the VTHC's campaign to state ALP MPs.

more info: www.fixworkcover.org | www.vthc.org.au

Yarra Union Solidarity Meeting - Next Meeting

2008-08-16T23:21:00.001+10:00

7pm Monday
18 August
Fitzroy Town Hall
Meeting Room
cnr Napier & Moor Streets Fitzroy

Climate Code Red: The Case for Emergency Action

2008-08-11T12:48:00.002+10:00

An evening with author David Spratt
6 for 6:30pm Thursday
14 August
Bella Union Bar
Trades Hall
Cnr Victoria & Lygon Sts,
Carlton

At the recent launch of Climate Code Red, Victorian Governor David de Kretser read out a quotation from George Monbiot which features in the book:

“When you warn people about the dangers of climate change, they call you a saint. When you explain what needs to be done to stop it, they call you a communist …everyone is watching and waiting for everyone else to move.”

David Spratt and Philip Sutton’s book clearly demonstrates that global climate change requires radical action – by government and by all of us – to avoid complete environmental meltdown. So what is the next step?

The New International Bookshop invites all unions, activist groups, community sector organizations and concerned individuals to this important discussion of the way forward on climate change.

A New International Bookshop event | Entry by gold coin donation

more info: Seb 0431 294 773

Yarra Union Solidarity Group

2008-07-29T21:15:00.004+10:00

Next Meeting
7pm Monday
4 August
Fitzroy Town Hall
Meeting Room
cnr Napier & Moor Streets Fitzroy
Refreshments will be available.

Local Union Solidarity Meeting - For the City of Yarra

Union Solidarity invites all interested people to attend a meeting to discuss the formation of a ‘grass roots’, autonomous group in the City of Yarra to pursue local industrial, social justice and environmental interests.

Union Solidarity local groups are an important part of defending workers and their communities. Whilst the Howard Government is no longer in power, employers are still actively using the Workchoices legislation and other anti-union laws against workers and their unions. Welfare recipients are still struggling to survive on miniscule incomes. We believe that as a united community, we can effectively defend our communities against corporate attacks and these anti-democratic laws.

Join us to discuss how our community can organise and defend ourselves.

more info & RSVP: 0413 597 315 | yarra@unionsolidarity.org

Maintain the Rage - National Young Workers Conference

2008-07-22T20:36:00.003+10:00

Hosted by The Victorian Young Unionists Network
12-13 September 2008
Victorian Trades Hall
54 Victoria St
Carlton South
Melbourne
www.yun.org.au

Registration for Maintain The Rage is now open. Registration is FREE

The Young Unionists Network is hosting the 2008 national young workers conference. We invite young workers, activists, students, organisers and those interested in issues for young people to join us this September for discussions, actions, workshops and celebrations under the theme "Maintain the Rage" .

Last year's conference in Adelaide, themed "Fight for the Future" encouraged young people to take a stand against industrial relations reforms under John Howard. "Maintain the Rage" reminds people that the fight for the future has not yet been won.

Workchoices is largely still intact and we must maintain national efforts to win fair rights for all workers. The conference will run over two days with Day One being set aside specifically for high school students and new workers, covering topics such as legal rights, access and equity, financial freedom, staying safe at work and more

Finally, just because it' s great to get together for a celebration rather than a confrontation, there will be an after-party in Bella Union Bar at Trades Hall on the evening of Saturday 13th September. Bands to be announced. Free for conference attendees, $5 for others.

To register for the conference go to: www.yun.org.au

more info: Danielle Archer > Young Unionists Network [03] 9659 3578 | darcher@vthc.org.au

Solidarity Global Day of Action Against Starbucks

2008-07-04T12:05:00.002+10:00

11.00am Saturday
Starbucks
295 Swanston St
Melbourne

On the 24th of april 2008, our comrade Mónica, barista at the multinational Starbucks, was fired. The district manager itself, Tomas Pinto, recognized the unfairness of the dismissal, and declared that her "profile was not suitable for what they were looking for". The surprising thing is that he drew that conclusion after a year and a half working for the company.

It is not the first time that Starbucks puts down workers. In the United Status of America this company has a great history of dismissals and union busting against the workers of the revolutionary union IWW (Industrial Workers of the World). From the Union of Commerce
of the CNT of Sevilla we are not going to allow union busting against our comrade, and we are going to fight against her reinstatement. The CNT declared war against Starbucks, and we are starting an international campaign with the solidarity of the International Workers
Association and other grassroots unions such as the IWW.

CLIMATE EMERGENCY RALLY & HUMAN SIGN

2008-07-03T15:14:00.002+10:00

Renewable Energy, not coal power
1pm Saturday
5 July
City Square
Melbourne

Public tranport, not new freeways
No desalination plant

Followed by march to Alexandra Gardens to form Human Sign

Urgent action needed to stop global warming !
We are calling for Victorians to join the Climate Emergency Rally on July 5. We want to send a wake-up call to state and federal governments that they are heading in the wrong direction. New coal, new freeways and desalination plants increase our use of and reliance on fossil fuels dramatically at a time when we must be cutting our use even more dramatically. We are calling on governments to implement sustainable alternatives to these irresponsible and expensive projects.

We call on all community groups and individuals to join us to send this important message to the government. We are going to form a 140-metre-long human sign to spell the words "Climate Emergency". Please organise your group to send endorsement, tell everyone you know, and come on the day wearing something red to symbolise emergency.

more info: http://climaterally.blogspot.com/

New Union Solidarity Group for Yarra

2008-06-29T15:10:00.004+10:00

7 pm Wednesday
July 9
Edinburgh Gardens Meeting Room
St. Georges Rd, Fitzroy

Refreshments will be available.

Union Solidarity invites all interested people to attend a meeting to discuss the formation of a ‘grass roots’, autonomous group in the City of Yarra to pursue local industrial, social justice and environmental interests.

Union Solidarity local groups are an important part of defending workers and their communities. Whilst the Howard Government is no longer in power, employers are still actively using the Workchoices legislation and other anti-union laws against workers and their unions. Welfare recipients are still struggling to survive on miniscule incomes. We believe that as a united community, we can effectively defend our communities against corporate attacks and these anti-democratic laws.

more info and RSVP: 0413 597 315

Community Meeting: No road tunnel for the West.

2008-06-29T15:03:00.000+10:00

7pm Tuesday
July 1
Glengala Community Centre
Corner Glengala Rd & Simmie St
West Sunshine

A community meeting has been called to discuss the implications for the western suburbs of Eddington Report. Of great concern is the report’s recommendation that a road tunnel should be built under the city linking the Eastern Freeway to Melbourne's West.

An ongoing community campaign has recently been launched in Yarra (Richmond, Collingwood, Clifton Hill) to stop the proposed road tunnel.

more info: Economic problems of road tunnel

Save Our Posties

2008-06-25T15:04:00.000+10:00

Rally against attacks on full time jobs.
4pm Wed
25 June
Australia Post Headquarters
321 Exhibition St, City

As part of a grand restructuring process of mail delivery Australia Post intends to shut down three mail centres in the western suburbs of Melbourne. Not only will this mean a reduction of services in the western suburbs but an attack on working conditions of Australia Post employees. The proposed new "super centre" at Altona will be staffed by many Delivery Only (DODO's) posties who will only be allocated 4 hour shifts and received no penalty rates, a reduction of 15%.

The posties union the CWU division of CEPU are requesting a that the wider union movement and the community show their support of decent services and full time employment. Please attend and proudly bring your union banners.

Elliots Engineering Court Case

2008-06-24T16:25:00.000+10:00

Rally outside of court
9.30am Tues & Weds
24 & 25 June
Ringwood Magistrates' Court
39 Ringwood St
Ringwood

The trial of Anthony Elliott, boss of Elliots' Engineering has been extended into Wednesday 25 June. Elliot is the defendant in a trial arising out of a community assembly in May 2007. Elliot faces a number of charges relating to driving a truck through a picket line. Of course it is the proud boost of English justice that someone is innocent until proven guilty. Lets hope that justice is more than done on this occasion.

more info: Background to dispute | Voilence on community assembly

Community Forum about Intervention

2008-06-20T16:18:00.001+10:00

1-3pm Friday
20th June
The Annex
Victorian Trades Hall
cnr Lygon & Victoria St
Carlton South

Meet with two representatives from communities affected by the NT Intervention and hear first-hand the impacts. Mitch is an Eastern Arrernte/Luritja representative from Alice Springs and Lyle Cooper is a Health clinic worker and President of Bagot Town Camp. We will start
with some presentations and then have space for questions and discussion.

more info: Michaela 0429 136 935

3CR Radiothon: SUWA film night

2008-05-25T20:22:00.001+10:00

Friday 7pm
30 May
Loophole Community Centre
834A High St
Thornbury
Gold coin donation

Film : Sir Henry at Rawlinson's End, A surreal look at the British class system in the 50s.

3CR is holding its annual Radiothon in June & SUWA/3CR is holding two film nights.

The Squatters and Unwaged Workers Airwaves show crew Broadcast weekly Fridays 5.30 - 6.30pm, 855 AM radio band on community radio station 3CR.

Latin American & Australasia International Indigenous

2008-05-25T20:07:00.002+10:00

Dinner and Solidarity night
7pm Friday
May 30
Maritime Union Hall
54 Ireland St
West Melbourne

Cost:
Dinner $20 | Solidarity $25 | Without Dinner $10

Live music and excellent food, drinks available

RSVP by Wednesday 28 of May phone Marisol Salinas on 9481 2273 or 0413 597 315

Don't miss this importan night in Melbourne which help to bring Indigenous leaders and non indigenous activist from Latin America and Australasia to Australia during October 2008.

We hope that today and in the future we can continue to count on your support, and that stronger links can be made between the social movements here in Australia, and those of Latin America.

All proceeds to support the Latin American & Australasia International Indigenous Solidarity Gathering held in Melbourne, October 2008.

more info: www.latinlasnet.org | lasnet@latinlasnet.org

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.