[Lasnetmail] Union solidarity

[Lucho]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Viola Wilkins 

Union Solidarity organiser Dave Kerin is about to be served a summons as Hawker de Havilland Boeing tries to prosecute Union Solidarity for effective community assembly ------
- we all offered to all say "I am Dave Kerin" if the enforcers turn up 
(see Spartacus - "I am Spartacus" or Life of Brian "I am Brian & so is my wife"! )

The old divide and rule is now being applied if the strikers cut their losses and go back in or else....
basically half the workforce 300+ of the 700 are to get redundancies but with no union solidarity they will get less so they must stick together.

The AMWU federally and locally is also being pressured to cut out Union Solidarity if they want to keep coverage/right of entry to the remaining wage slaves.
Approx 30+ are scabbing and the "professional association engineers" cross the picket "courteously" but no goods have gone in or out for 3 weeks now.

The Pacific wide security firm hired by Boeing has the usual shadowy ex-military/intelligence Leader who always encourages mind games to provoke the workers into some violence under the watch of the cctv cameras... but so far tempers have been held knowing the Management have been told to get the dispute resolved by HQ in USA. So they may crack soon but who knows meanwhile solidarity continues.

FOOD NOT SCABS
Today Friday April 25th Food not Bombs catered a hot lunch meal of spiced potatoes and mushrooms with a salad. 
This was requested after "too many sausages"....
The food for 50 + went down well it seemed to me.

Tonight the Australian Services Union action fraktion have prepared soup.

FAMILY VALUES
Kids were there as its a holiday for the war buffs (ANZAC Day) and many enjoyed "quality family time" playing soccer and cricket with parents and their work mates at the assembly in front of the barricaded gate.

Boeing Dispute Enters 3rd Week.
Background:
The dispute started on Monday April 7 when Boeing sacked a worker and suspended another without going through the agreed dispute settlement procedure. Boeing then started legal moves which now see the workers potentially faces fines under the existing Workchoices legislation.

Community Assembly 
Wharf Road 
Fishermens Bend 
(Off Todd Rd - Melways E12)
Public Transport 235, 237 or 606 Bus

Quick Update
* Boeing's legal deadline for return to work passes
* Boeing starting to move?
* Solidarity concert for workers.

BBQ
A BBQ for the Boeing Workers and supporters was held Thurs 24 April 2008

Some movement by Boeing?

Boeing rejected the Sat April 19 "Proposed Settlement Agreement" by stating that they would not negotiate while the strike continues and continuing to insist they would pursue legal action. Today Boeing management held discussions with delegates and proposed a settlement. The details of the settlement will be examined carefully and discussed at the workers mass meeting tomorrow.

Solidarity Concert for Boeing workers.
A concert is being organised to support the Boeing workers.

* 11am Sunday May 3 at the Wharf Road Community Assembly

How can I support the strike?
* Attend the 24hour community assembly
* Organise fund raising for the strikers
* Download and print support leaflet
* Send messages of support to boeingdispute at unionsolidarity.org
* Join the SMS alert list to be informed of mobilisations

Legal situation with Boeing strike
Boeing won an injunction in the Federal Court that could make rank and file members of the AMWU liable for company's losses (Boeing claims about $1m a day).
A trial on May 7 (with May 8 and 9 set aside if needed) will hear Boeing's case for damages.

April 17
Boeing promised to drop all legal action but only if workers behaved themselves.
"If employees return to work and stay at work through the life of the current EBA, all legal proceedings, against all working employees, will be dropped." [letter of intent April 17]

However on April 16 Boeing promised to pursue the AMWU and individual rank and file member for damages.

"Today I have asked our lawyers to pursue contempt charges against the AMWU and certain members we believe are responsible for leading you down this reckless and destructive path." [letter April 16]

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afr.com - Capital Goods - The Australian Financial Review
"14 Apr 2008 | By Mark Skulley; A legal stoush resumes in the Federal Court today over an illegal wildcat strike at Boeing Australia that cost $1.2 million a ..." afr.com/home/industry/capital_goods.aspx

http://afr.com/home/viewer.aspx?EDP://20080414000020540721&magsection=industry-capital-goods&title=Boeing+might+take+action+against+wildcat+strikers&source=/_xmlfeeds/industry/capital_goods/feed.xml


$%$%$%$%$%$%$%

A "second front" is opening up soon too
Support Your Local Postie!! 
Rally and cavalcade 10am Saturday May 10 Footscray Post Office 182 Barkly Street, Footscray 
11 am at Williamstown Post Office 70 Douglas Parade Williamstown

Western Suburbs Community and Unions Coalition supports the local posties' campaign to protect their jobs and conditions. Australia Post is closing our Delivery Centre and shifting us to West Sunshine in July, this year. It will mean a cut in full-jobs, reduction of hour and pay.

www.unionsolidarity.org
contact at unionsolidarity.org


Don't forget kids while you're resisting anti-union laws keep a smile on yer lips and song in yer heart:

It's fun to work on holidays, or when the day is done;
Why should they pay us overtime for having so much fun?
For having so much fun my boys, for having so much fun.
Pay overtime would be a crime for having so much fun. Ohhh...

Ohhh, put it on the ground, spread it all around
Dig it with a hoe: it will make your flowers grow
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