Gillard at Shoppies Conference

The deputy leader of the ALP and spokesperson on industrial relations, Julia Gillard will be a special guest speaker at the ETU's Shop Stewards Training Conference at the Convention Centre on 1-2 May 2007. Among the speakers will be ACTU secretary Greg Combet, academic Dr. John Buchanan and social scientist Dr. Sarah Charlesworth.

The attendance of Julia Gillard at the conference is a clear example of how seriously the ALP treats the views of ETU members. It hardly needs to be said that the ETU believes conferences such as these are critical to the training of shop stewards.

The conference will build on the success of the 2005 conference and will assist shop stewards to better understand the new and legally complex IR world created by the Coalition. The ETU is asking all shop stewards to complete the registration form they've received in the mail and forward it to the ETU. If you have any questions, please ring the ETU on 8329 0000.

The details:

•  Shop Stewards conference

•  1-2 May 2007

•  Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre (north of Yarra, opposite Jeff's Shed)

•  Themes - ETU update on IR matters, shop stewards role in the ETU - making the ETU stronger, 'vote Howard out'

•  Speakers, forums, workshops

Anyone who doubts the capacity of the WorkChoices legislation to imbue some bosses with machismo need only look at what's been happening at the Port Campbell gas plant, and now, in nearby Portland. At a rally outside Origin Energy in February, ETU organiser Danny Timmers was scathing in his criticism of the targetting of shop stewards at the gas plant. The words harassment and discrimination were freely used by Danny at the rally.

Now news arrives that the much respected shop steward at the Alcoa plant in Portland, Brendan McMahon, has been put on a final warning over an alleged safety breach. Brendan is genuinely hurt by the allegation and his treatment at the hands of Alcoa. The alleged breach came about after Brendan undertook a task in accordance with a directive from a supervisor. What's further troubling is that Brendan expressly asked the supervisor whether he should complete the task asked of him.

The ETU has news for Alcoa. It will not accept any company behaving in a way it believes is discriminatory to a member and in particular a shop steward. That's why the ETU is exploring all its options. Brendan McMahon is a highly respected member of the Portland community, where he has lived for 21 years. From the Table Tennis Association to raising money for charity Brendan's good deeds are legendary. We won't let him down. Touch one touch all.

Meddling Mitchell

The editor of the online magazine has spoken with 3AW's morning presenter Neil Mitchell on air many times over the years. Strange as it might seem, to many trade unionists, it's my view that Mitchell can be a very good interviewer. Unfortunately, he is inclined to let tired old myths interfere with the facts.

That probably explains why the following email was sent to the communications department of the ETU. ' That Mitchell is again winging about the building industry break over Easter, accusing the building industry of being lazy and going to sleep over Easter. He shows his ignorance about construction industry workers, as the construction members accrue these days from the hours they work and in our case (ETU) we have accrued RDOs and two annual leave days'.

Well, we'll send this email and the online magazine to Neil Mitchell for a response. ETU Members, and Neil Mitchell for that matter, might be interested to know that the ETU has been talking with 3AW about running pro-worker advertisements, including during the morning program, in the lead up to the federal election. That's a prickly one isn't it?

Communicating to the World

While we're discussing the media, it's worth members remembering that the ETU has its own radio program - 6.30 am on Radio 3CR - every Wednesday morning. Just turn the dial to 855 on the AM Band. We also have our own podcast - The Spark - which can be found on our website. The 3CR program and The Spark allow the ETU to tell its side of the story. On Wednesday 4 April the ETU Radio News program devoted a few minutes to educating Neil Mitchell about how the construction industry works and how tough it really is on a building site.

As explained in the last online magazine we'll soon be able to take calls from members during the 3CR program. However, the communications department of the ETU is keen to receive emails or text messages - as is the case with presenters on ABC radio and the like. You can text us on 0400 982 292 or email to phil@etu.asn.au

If you go to the ETU website you'll see the link for THE SPARK PODCAST in the top right hand corner of the home page. Click here and you can listen to all our podcasts. ETU vice-president Garry Laycock, who features in episode 10 of The Spark, never misses an episode. 'ETU members need to keep abreast of the new technologies, such as The Spark. It's or way of spreading the union message and countering the media bias,' says Garry, who played a major role fighting the fires in Scamander in Tassie last December. It's just one issue he discusses on The Spark

Radiothon at 3CR

No one profiles union and industrial issues like Radio 3CR 855AM. The community radio station currently has eight union-focused radio programs that exclusively cover industrial issues and give a voice to unionists and workers while ten additional 3CR radio programs - in English, Vietnamese, Greek and Spanish - have a large focus on worker rights and union issues.

To continue its 31-year history of providing media access to communities and issues marginalised by the mainstream media, 3CR is holding its annual fundraiser radiothon, in June 2007. 3CR - At It Again! highlights the vanguard work 3CR does in industrial reporting and workers' rights.

3CR's role in industrial campaigning in Melbourne over the last three decades has been unique. The station not only provides radio coverage but has also given practical support for disputes and campaigns, including fundraising for union groups. Now that 3CR is web streaming on www.3cr.org.au the station is able to connect with listeners worldwide.

For more information about 3CR or to donate to the station or your favourite program, contact:

Lisa Farrance (Radiothon Coordinator)

03 9419 8377

radiothon@3cr.org.au

www.3cr.org.au

3CR INDUSTRIAL PROGRAMS:

Union of Australian Women - 11:30AM Mondays

ETU News - 6:30AM Wednesdays

Outworker Voice (in Vietnamese) - 6:30PM Wednesdays

Fire Up (Plumbers Union) - 6:30AM Thursdays

The Breakfast Show (presented by MUA) - 7:00AM Thursdays

The Stick Together Show - 8:30AM Fridays. Repeated 10:00AM Sundays

Solidarity Breakfast - 7:30AM Saturdays

Asia Pacific Currents (AAWL) - 9:00AM Saturdays

Concrete Gang (CFMEU Construction) - 9:30AM Sundays

Andrew Campbell is hard at work in the federal seat of Deakin. This is an abridged version of his struggle to unseat Phil Barresi:

After hearing Sharan Burrow deliver an inspiring talk on how the IR changes would affect working people, my first outing against the laws was at Mitcham in the seat of Deakin. We set up a BBQ and handed out information. Our numbers slowly grew. People were not aware of the long term affects of the yet to be imposed IR laws. The ACTU's TV campaign was a turning point. Our Saturday mornings turned into all day affairs. We increased our presence at shopping centres and public places and started protest rallies.

On the eve of the IR laws passing through Parliament the ETU sent me and organiser Reno Lia to Canberra to meet Sharan Burrow, Labor politicians and marginal seat campaigners. I met Kevin Andrews face to face to express the view of working people. I was unable to change his opinion, but when he said 'If the people do not like it they can vote us out at the next election' I thanked him and said that's what we would do. About three months ago I was diagnosed with bowel cancer and underwent major surgery followed by chemotherapy. I have since recovered enough to return to the campaign. If you are interested in our campaign, and want to give up a few rewarding hours go to: http://web.mac.com/deakinyraw or ring Mike Symon on 0418 362154

Even those who might have doubted ACTU secretary Greg Combet's ability to win the PR battle against John Howard and his cronies have been forced to admit that the secretary has been an inspiration. And while he was quick to remind trade unionist at the 29 March conference in Melbourne that the battle has not yet been won, there was good reason for optimism in the ranks. When Malcolm Mackerras, the eccentric political commentator best known for creating the political pendulum, predicted a swing in excess of 4% against the government it was understandable that people would feel buoyed.

Although the declining popularity of the Coalition and John Howard is no secret, to hear a pollster speak so passionately about Howard's breach of trust with the population was uplifting. Not only did he predict a strong win by Labor and victory for ETU member Mike Symon in Deakin he criticised Prime Minister Howard for bringing in WorkChoces without a mandate.

Mackerras' prediction of a victory for Labor is based on a simple fact: John Howard did not tell the truth before the last election. And now, he says, the legislation is deeply unpopular with working people. As Greg Combet explained, ACTU research indicates that more than 65% of people oppose WorkChoices. Now we must campaign relentlessly, says Combet, in the marginal seats, where 30% of trade unionists are swinging voters. Victory might appear to be nigh but it can come dripping slowly.

Malcolm Mackerra made one other bold prediction. He says John Howard will lose his seat in the federal election. Mackerras cited the fact that redistributions have weakened Howard's grip on the seat. In fact Bennelong is now in the top 21 seats in terms of the number of voters born overseas. And let's face it. How could any newly arrived person in Australia vote for a man with Tampa and the exploitation of Muslims for political gain, on his hands?

The GetUp group, which recently organised for a representative to meet with ETU secretary Dean Mighell is hard at work in the campaign to unseat John Howard and the Coalition government. A link to the GetUp website can be found on the ETU website at www.etu.asn.au

In its own words GetUp.org.au 'I s a new independent political movement to build a progressive Australia. GetUp brings together like-minded people who want to bring participation back into our democracy. GetUp.org.au members use the latest online tools to act on important issues facing the country.'

'I'd like to see as many ETU members as possible visit the GetUp site - http://getup.org.au - and register. We need to get rid of the Howard government,' says Dean Mighell.

Up the Irish Republic

Neither Alexander Downer nor John Howard has ever shown any interest in the struggles of ordinary republicans in the partitioned six counties of Ulster. Howard wouldn't even meet Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams when he was in Australia. It mattered naught to the Prime Minister Howard that Adams is an elected member of the House of Commons, a parliament he refuses to attend. John Howard has no problems meeting war mongers like US vice-president Dick Cheney or advocates of torture such as President George Bush. Adams is a different kettle of fish.

If only the Howard government had the same commitment to justice as the Sinn Fein party. Last Saturday night at the Celtic Club, in an event convened by the Casement Group, of which the ETU is a supporter, Sinn Fein negotiator Ciaran Quinn spoke about those policies and the aspirations of republicans. 'The Irish people have a right to self-determination. But it's more than that. The establishment of a 32-county republic would break the legacy of sectarianism and, to use a cliché, unite the green and the orange and bring prosperity across the country,' he said.

'I've been interested in Irish affairs all my life. My grandfather was from Ireland as were most of my direct ancestors. To have Ciaran Quinn and Dodie McGuinness (Sinn Fein member) in Australia at such an historic moment is magic. The power sharing agreement offers great hope for the future,' said ETU president John Doran.

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