ASU Workplace Reps and Activists E-News 4 July 2006

Last week marked an important part of our ongoing campaign across Australia to secure rights at work. It also marked the beginning of our more intensive campaign in the lead up to next year’s Federal Election; it is imperative that rights at work are an election issue and it is imperative that we continue to build power in workplaces to secure them.

Thousands of workers like you participated in various activities around the country and the week was a great success.

The week kicked off with Greg Combet addressing a packed meeting in the Town Hall of delegates from all South Australian Unions about campaigning towards the next election and the Union vision for the future of industrial relations. Greg invited all delegates to continue to be active in their workplace, ask others to be active and to get involved in the Federal Election campaign for rights at work.

The Just Work church service was a wonderful and moving event. Anglican Archbishop Jeffrey Driver, Catholic Archbishop Phillip Wilson, Uniting Church Moderator Graham Vawser and representatives from the Lutheran and Baptist churches held the service which focused on uniting communities across Adelaide for justice and fairness at work. During the service church leaders made a number of heartening statements about the need to seek respect and dignity for all workers. A moving candle ceremony to honour the eighteen workers who have sadly died at work in South Australia this year also formed part of the service. It was wonderful to have the support of church leaders and the event's success has meant that the groups will possibly continue to work together towards an annual event of this kind.

Community rallies targeting the three key marginal seats that we need to win at the next Federal Election and a rally in the city and at Whyalla were very well attended and included speakers who were workers, community leaders and Union officials.

The week of activities was exciting and successful and provided working Australians with a way of voicing their opposition to the attacks on rights at work. A further national day of action will be held in November.

In the meantime we must continue to be active in our workplaces and community. Please stay active in your workplace, ask someone who is not yet an ASU member to join and get involved in the Australia-wide campaign to secure rights at work - more details about how you can do this will be provided in the coming weeks.

If you would like any further information about the campaign please do not hesitate to contact either of us.

By working together we will win and ensure that we are able to secure our rights at work and protect the future for all Australians.

Your rights at work - worth fighting for.

Yours sincerely

ANDY DENNARD
BRANCH SECRETARY

KATRINE HILDYARD
BRANCH ASSISTANT SECRETARY