Pip Hinman
What a momentous week we have come through! The biggest workers' rights protest in Australian history — nothing less! On November 15, at least 600,000 workers around the country took part in mass meetings, rallies and marches against the Howard government's anti-worker, anti-union, laws.
And this government has the temerity to call the latest of these anti-worker laws "Work Choices". It is outrageous! The "Ministry of Truth" in George Orwell's novel 1984 couldn't have done a better job.
91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly's response was to take to the streets with a cover that proclaimed: "WorkChoices? No Choice! Protect your work rights — strike on November 15!"
And we met a great response in the streets in the weeks leading up to November 15. The sales rate went up, new buyers approached our committed volunteer street distributors, and when we appealed for help distributing 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly, especially on November 15, we received a great response.
"Send me a bundle of 100", requested a subscriber in Townsville. They were snapped up, he said, first at a community forum and then on the day of protest "because people here don't get to see anything different from the Murdoch and Packer press". Smaller bundles were ordered from readers and subscribers from 19 regional centres around the country, and they too were quickly distributed.
On November 15, we distributed 4500 copies of 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly at the protests. A wonderful job. Thank you once again 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly supporters.
As more and more police-state, anti-union and welfare-bashing laws are forced through both houses of federal parliament by the Howard government, the outspoken voice of dissent that is 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly is treasured more than ever.
Many good people feel deep despair these days, but we have to remember that governments will pass as many bad laws as they can get away with. However, having these laws on paper is not the same as implementing them. As the militant unionist Craig Johnston, who has been jailed for standing up for workers' rights, says: "Bad laws have to be broken."
This is not just brave rhetoric. It is a fact we will witness unfold over the next period as more and more people realise that when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.
That was the sentiment on the streets on November 15 — defiance, solidarity and willingness to resist the injustice that is being made law.
"The workers united will never be defeated" was the chant of the day. You can help spread that sentiment by subscribing your friends, work mates and family members (an early Christmas present?) by visiting .
Are you in a position to take 10-20 copies of GLW to your local union office, or caf‚, a bookshop or a university? If you are, phone us on our free call number: 1800 634 206.
Each week we will also be bringing you stories about how supporters of GLW are helping get it around. If you have one, let me know by sending an email to <piph@greenleft.org.au>.
From 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly, November 23, 2005.
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