An important decision of the Socialist Alliance’s May national conference was to establish a national trade union committee. This committee met for the first time on June 22 for an initial discussion about the trade union projects adopted at the conference and to make recommendations to the national executive.
Every state and territory, but not every branch, was represented. The participants were: Sue McKay (CPSU ACT); Melanie Sjoberg (PSA NSW); Janet Burstall (PSA NSW); Ray Hayes (NT); Riki Lane (national co-convenor); Sue Bolton (MEAA Vic); Judy McVey (CPSU Vic); Maureen Murphy (ASU Vic); Craig Johnston (AMWU Vic); Tim Stewart (CPSU Qld); Bronwen Beechey (CPSA SA); Linda Seaborn (HSUA Tas); Ian Jamieson (MUA WA); Chris Cain (MUA WA).
The short timeframe for organising the initial meeting meant that state executives had not yet been able to discuss who their representative would be, something that will be corrected next time. We also want more representatives from regional cities and a better spread of unions on the committee.
The committee is a working body - all major proposals will be put to the national executive. Its composition might change over time, and other members invited to participate in discussions about particular campaigns. The initial meeting discussed the content of our first trade union pamphlet, trade union education, the MUA election result and the Skilled Six Campaign.
The trade union pamphlet, which should be published next month, will include the national conference’s trade union resolution, plus articles on the current attacks on unions, unions and refugee rights, the militant union current, and what the Workplace Relations Act means for unions. It will be a useful resource for branches’ suburban stalls, public meetings, educational discussions and recruiting.
We also canvassed ideas for other short pamphlets that might be useful, including on: How to win a strike despite the Workplace Relations Act; How does pattern bargaining work?; Do tariffs save jobs?; How does capitalism exploit workers?; Unionising illegal workers; Organising for militant unionism within right-wing and/or badly organised unions; The shorter working week – a solution to unemployment; Combating racism in the workers’ movement; Women workers organising; Workers organising across national borders; Unions and the anti-war movement; A history of red unionism in Australia.
Other suggestions are very welcome and anyone interested in writing an article for one of the trade union pamphlets should contact Sue Bolton at (03) 9639 8622 or click here to email sue_bolton@hotmail.com, or Riki Lane at (03) 9387 7819 or click here to email riki@rabbit.com.au.