A proposed new Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade deal will expand the power of global corporations and locks in a race to the bottom on wages and conditions for working people, Australia's peak union body has warned. The RCEP has been negotiated in secret between the Australian government and 15 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including China and India.
Bob Hawke's memorial service reminded all of us what is achievable with vision, determination and cooperation. Bob was this person who raised the aspirations of our nation, got us to set bigger objectives and bigger tasks but provided us with the inspiration to achieve them. Education, the Environment, Social Welfare, Medicare, a new National Anthem, Nelson Mandela, Tiananmen Square, a Treaty with the first Australians, and of course Hawke's famous "any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum" comment following Australia II winning the America's Cup will stay with us all.
How much more can the South Australian government cut back and sell off? Last week, news came through that Steven Marshall and Rob Lucas have our trains and trams in their sights. With the cost of a single trip train ticket at $5.50 for a short journey into the city, you have to wonder how much more it will cost if the state government sells our public rail transport system to a for-profit multinational.
Budget-cutting political leaders regularly target the jobs and incomes of public sector workers as the first and most politically convenient target of their austerity measures.
About 1500 jobs will be slashed from the public service to pay for $450 million in savings announced in the State Budget. "Any jobs that could have been cut have already been cut," CPSU Secretary Tom Lynch said. "I've no idea how Treasurer Peter Gutwein thinks that agencies that already are under stress are going to run with 1500 fewer people. "It makes less sense than any budget I've ever seen. "Public servants were worried that if they asked for more than two per cent in bargaining there would be job cuts." "Well now they're getting job cuts and a pay cut too."
March with your family for fair pay and secure jobs!
Wednesday 10 April.
Melbourne 10.30AM, Sydney 11AM, Adelaide 12.30PM,
Perth 12PM, Launceston 12.30PM, Brisbane 1PM,
Canberra 12PM, Cairns 12.30PM
We have a crisis of insecure work and low wages in this country and Scott Morrison’s Liberals are to blame. That’s why on 10 April, 2019 we’re taking to the streets with a national political protest for fair wage rises and better job security.
A big year looms because this is the year, we come together, to Change the Government, and Change the Rules. Australian workers are ruled by laws which have destroyed job security and left us struggling to pay the bills. The balance of power in workplaces has shifted too far away from workers. Once the promise of living in Australia was that each generation would pass on something better to the next. Better healthcare. Better education.
