The comrades gather under the Wonthaggi mine whistle.
By Geoff Ellis
"WHAT if you were the only one here?" John Carson asks as he ponders the possibility of life without unions or collective action. "We need each other to be strong."
May Day – otherwise known as Labour Day – commemorates the granting of the eight-hour working day for Australians. Wonthaggi has a proud tradition of May Day rallies and marches, since the mining days when the miners fought for fair wages and safe working conditions. In 1937, 200 miners and their families travelled in convoy to the Melbourne May Day march with their union banners.
"WHAT if you were the only one here?" John Carson asks as he ponders the possibility of life without unions or collective action. "We need each other to be strong."
May Day – otherwise known as Labour Day – commemorates the granting of the eight-hour working day for Australians. Wonthaggi has a proud tradition of May Day rallies and marches, since the mining days when the miners fought for fair wages and safe working conditions. In 1937, 200 miners and their families travelled in convoy to the Melbourne May Day march with their union banners.
On Sunday two dozen people rallied to the startling call of the noon whistle in Apex Park. The light on the hill is still strong here.
| Jessica Harrison from the Unemployed Workers Union starts the proceedings with the reasons we need to keep coming back here on May 1 each year. Leslie Adams reads out the Victorian Trades Hall Solidarity Statement, as she did last year. Someone in a Greens T-shirt asserts that the Greens only exist because the ALP doesn't look after workers’ rights. That was the role of the Communist Party. People talk about the environment and the destruction of the coast. A huge number of submissions to Bass Coast’s Distinctive Area and Landscape consultation is applauded but what protection will there be for the Wonthaggi wetlands? | Solidarity Statement We are union. We stand united as part of a great movement of workers. Our diversity is our strength Our solidarity is our power We respect and take care of each other. Prejudice and discrimination – including misogyny, racism, homophobia and all other hatreds have no place in our movement. We rise together. Today and every day we commit ourselves to achieving justice, fairness, equality and dignity for all workers. Solidarity forever. |
Jessica the campaign for fair wages in the hospitality industry is rebooted. She explains there's a website where unscrupulous cafes are outed and what’s happening locally.
Mention Russell Broadbent and everyone piles on. Ivermectin, marriage equality, foreshore erosion, threats to NDIS funding ... Russell’s a goner if this gathering is representative of Monash voters, but it’s probably not.
Strat and Lindal are on holidays so we sing along to Solidarity for Ever with Pete Seeger played into the PA from Michael's phone. Burt knows all the words but most of us just sing the chorus. Margaret knows every single word too but she can't be here today. She'll be back next year along with all the other true believers.
Mention Russell Broadbent and everyone piles on. Ivermectin, marriage equality, foreshore erosion, threats to NDIS funding ... Russell’s a goner if this gathering is representative of Monash voters, but it’s probably not.
Strat and Lindal are on holidays so we sing along to Solidarity for Ever with Pete Seeger played into the PA from Michael's phone. Burt knows all the words but most of us just sing the chorus. Margaret knows every single word too but she can't be here today. She'll be back next year along with all the other true believers.