Rally for rights at work on April 22

By Maree O’Halloran

Federation calls on teachers to rally at Hyde Park in Sydney at 11am on Sunday April 22, to join fellow unionists and community members protesting against the Federal Government's industrial relations laws.

The rally will be followed by a march to the Sydney Cricket Ground and a "Rockin' for Rights" concert.

The union movement's campaign must include strong and visible action to put all political parties on notice that industrial relations laws must protect employees and provide them with fair and safe workplaces.

The rally on April 22 will complement the advertising, community work and targeted seats campaigns that have been undertaken over the past two years. It also follows four separate pieces of stop work action by teachers to support the broader union movement's Sky Channel meetings and rallies.

As teachers we are concerned for the future rights at work of our students and our children. We must also, in the light of Federal Minister Julie Bishop's recent announcements, rally to defend teachers' tenure, salaries and working conditions.

Federation recognises that the last Sunday of the school holidays presents some difficulties for members. The date was chosen by Unions NSW as the best time to place pressure on all political parties. It follows the anniversary of WorkChoices enactment and precedes the Australian Labor Party's national conference. One year after the introduction of the Federal Government's extreme and radical laws, the ACTU estimates that 1000 workers per month are being forced onto individual contracts and off the award.

Federation will be conducting advertising in the lead up to the April 22 rally. A strip advertisement will appear in the Sydney Morning Herald and the Daily Telegraph. In addition, a radio advertisement will play on selected metropolitan radio stations which urges teachers "to add their voices to the ever growing community concern about the Howard Government's industrial relations laws". The ad also says: "By being part of next Sunday's rally, teachers and parents can make a difference. By standing up against these dangerously unfair laws we can safeguard our rights, and the rights of future generations, to a fair and safe workplace."

The ad concludes: "11am. Next Sunday, April 22 at Hyde Park."

Maree O'Halloran is the President.

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