The CFMEU’s tradition of struggle can inspire all workers and explains why the ruling class wants to break its power, argues Jonathan Strauss.
Workers’ Rights and Industrial
It is not enough to “punish Labor” in coming elections. The real challenge is to build a political alternative that will act for the majority, not slavishly serve the billionaire class, argue Sue Bull, Jacob Andrewartha and Sam Wainwright.
Labor’s new laws appointing an administrator with absolute dictatorial powers to run every branch of the Construction Forestry Maritime Employees Union is the most serious attack on a union in living memory, argues Sam Wainwright.
Jonathan Strauss argues that a fighting, democratic union movement would entail members and delegates’ meetings directing industrial action and political campaigns, opposing state intervention and not subordinating union strategy to Labor’s pro-capitalist project.
Socialist Alliance opposes the attacks on the CFMEU by the Albanese government and the corporate media.
Labor’s package to help women escape violence is welcome but not nearly enough. Angela Carr argues that we need to be clear on what drives men to commit violence against women and address that, as well as assisting victim/survivors.
While the Royal Commission report into Robodebt did not recommend systemic compensation to the victims, it did suggest lifting the rate for social security benefits
Socialist Alliance is running in the 2023 NSW state election. Check out a playlist to see some of the videos produced as part of this campaign.
Given how many are being crunched by the cost-of-living crisis, public sentiment would be on the unions’ side if they took united action for wage rises
Claims the new IR laws will close the gender pay gap and strengthen equal pay laws are welcome. However, the laws will divide workers and weaken the Better Off Overall Test.
Labour shortages give unions a stronger bargaining position. We need to argue against racist and nationalistic tropes that migrant workers steal Australians’ jobs, while defending workplace safety, wages and conditions.
The new exemptions to Public Health Orders which can force sick workers to work represent a serious attack on workers' rights and their health and safety. Workers and our unions need to draw a line.