Newcastle dockworkers strike
For the first time in many years, workers employed by Forgacs at the Hexham Engineering Works and at the Carrington Dry Dock have made common cause around negotiations for a new agreement. In the past, the workers, mostly Australian Manufacturing Workers Union members, have bargained separately.
The 70 Hexham workers have conducted a series of strikes since November. The Carrington site, which employs up to 500 workers around the old State Dockyards Dry Dock — bought by Forgacs in 1990 — was struck for 48 hours from February 2 in support of a claim for a 12% pay rise over two years.
Forgacs had offered 6% in return for workers having to take their morning tea and lunch on the job and the continued use of long-term casual labour.
On February 4, the workers voted to return to work in compliance with an Industrial Commission order. However, they went out again a few hours later because of unsafe working conditions. According to the commission, the current agreement does not expire until March but according to the workers it ended in November.
Tamils protest
MELBOURNE — Two hundred Tamils and their supporters gathered outside the Hilton Hotel here on February 6 to call for trade sanctions against Sri Lanka.
The rally organisers denounced abuses of the rights of workers in free trade zones. Protesters drew attention to the Sri Lankan government's refusal to reach a political solution to the conflict between Tamils and the central government.
The spirited protest was organised by the Australasian Federation of Tamil Associations and coincided with a seminar organised by the Sri Lankan government to encourage investment in Sri Lanka.
Speak-out for East Timor
BRISBANE — Supporters of a free East Timor assembled in the Queen Street Mall on February 5 to demand an immediate act of self-determination.
The protest, called by Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor, also demanded an end to Australian military ties with Indonesia, an end to the Timor Gap Treaty and the release of all political prisoners from Indonesia's jails, including East Timorese resistance leader Xanana Gusmao.
The Indonesian government's announcement that it was prepared to consider independence for East Timor "marks a cynical attempt by the Habibie regime to absolve itself of any responsibility for the East Timorese tragedy", stated Mike Byrne, coordinator of Brisbane ASIET.
Other speakers included Democratic Socialists Karen Fletcher and Graham Matthews, Catholic Worker activist and peace campaigner Cairon O'Reilly, Resistance member Adam Baker, academic Gary McLennan and poet John Tomlinson.