Home » World News

Workers Issues in Australia & the Pacific

New Zealand mine disaster inquiry whitewashes government

By Tom Peters, November 10, 2012

The disaster was the outcome of the decades-long assault on the jobs, conditions and rights of workers aimed at boosting “international competitiveness.”

Union prepares to sell out Western Australian port dispute

By Terry Cook, Joe Lopez, October 24, 2012

The unsafe conditions on the waterfront are the legacy of decades of union betrayals.

Australia: Union/Grocon collusion against building workers

By Terry Cook, Peter Symonds, September 29, 2012

The agendas of the CFMEU and the Grocon construction company are fundamentally opposed to the interests of building workers.

Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific

September 8, 2012

Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific

Australia: Construction union offers to end blockade at Grocon site

By Terry Cook, Mike Head, September 5, 2012

The union’s proposal has only encouraged Grocon to step up its legal actions against the blockade and spearhead a broader attack on workers’ conditions.

Australian police move to break building workers’ picket

By Terry Cook, September 1, 2012

About 100 police officers, some dressed in riot gear, massed at the Melbourne site from 3 a.m. Friday to “take control”.

Australia: Union shuts down warehouse strike, imposes sell out

By Patrick O’Connor, July 25, 2012

After deliberately isolating the workers, the NUW rammed through a regressive enterprise agreement that meets none of the workers’ central demands.

Coles warehouse strikers speak with Patrick O’Connor

By our reporters, July 11, 2012

At a Coles national distribution centre in Melbourne, 600 striking workers are enforcing a 24-hour picket, blocking trucks entering the facility.

Sydney rally against workers’ compensation cuts

By Zac Hambdies, June 14, 2012

The protest was a cynical attempt to divert the popular opposition to New South Wales government attacks on workers’ compensation and its austerity measures.

Australia: Victorian teachers strike over pay and conditions

By our reporters, June 8, 2012

Angered by the state government’s regressive demands, record numbers of teachers stopped work yesterday.

Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia

June 2, 2012

Workers Struggles: Asia and Australia

Australia government intervenes into port workers’ dispute

By Terry Cook, March 22, 2012

The Gillard government with Maritime Union of Australia backing has stepped in to effectively shut down industrial action by Asciano workers.