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Workers march against Howard
by Takver
Tuesday November 15, 2005 at 02:55 PM
Estimates by union organisers have put the rally by workers in Melbourne against the Howard industrial reforms at more than 200,000, one of the largest rallies in the history of Melbourne.
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Crowds had gathered early at Federation Square for a communications linkup with trade union and community meetings around Victoria and Australia against the industrial relations laws being pushed through Federal parliament. By 8.30am, under a grey sky threatening rain, the Square was packed with people, with the crowd growing by the minute. Many people turned out despite the bleak wet and windy weather conditions.
Thousands of people kept arriving from Flinders Street station, and streaming down Swanston Street.
At 10am thousands of members of the Health services Union marched down Swanstown Street before halting at Little Bourke Street to form the back of the rally. It moved slowly forward to Bourke street as people packed side streets and down St Kilda Road. I thought that was the peak, but was wrong. At 10.30am a large contingent of many thousands from the AMWU marched down Swanstown street and stopped at the back of the rally at Bourke Street, and appeared to stretch up the hill to the State Library.
The public address system reached only as far as Bourke Street, so most people on the northern part of Swanston missed the speakers and music from Federation Square. These people became the head of the march which wound its way up Swanston Street, then La Trobe street, to the Carlton Gardens. At the top of La Trobe street one could look back on tens of thousands of people marching up La Trobe street. The clouds parted and the sun shone on those marching.
Police have put the crowd at 150,000, while Union organisers have estimated more than 200,000 people rallied and marched in Melbourne. Sky News broadcast aerial shots showing packed Melbourne city streets, estimating 175,000 had taken part.
Speakers included ACTU secretary Greg Combet, Victorian Premier Steve Bracks and ACTU president Sharan Burrow.
More speakers and music ocurred in the Carlton Gardens.
What the rally signifies is that many people are highly concerned about the Howard attack on employment conditions, and are willing to fight the attack on working conditions. This is the start of a long industrial and political campaign which will almost certainly result in workers being sacked and going to jail.
IR Rally
by Takver
Tuesday November 15, 2005 at 02:55 PM
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IR Rally
by Takver
Tuesday November 15, 2005 at 02:55 PM
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IR Rally
by Takver
Tuesday November 15, 2005 at 02:55 PM
ir_rally_img_3819.jpg, image/jpeg, 500x333
IR Rally
by Takver
Tuesday November 15, 2005 at 02:55 PM
ir_rally_img_3820.jpg, image/jpeg, 500x333
IR Rally
by Takver
Tuesday November 15, 2005 at 02:55 PM
ir_rally_img_3822.jpg, image/jpeg, 500x333
IR Rally
by Takver
Tuesday November 15, 2005 at 02:55 PM
ir_rally_img_3825.jpg, image/jpeg, 500x333
IR Rally
by Takver
Tuesday November 15, 2005 at 02:55 PM
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IR Rally
by Takver
Tuesday November 15, 2005 at 02:55 PM
ir_rally_img_3845.jpg, image/jpeg, 500x333
IR Rally
by Takver
Tuesday November 15, 2005 at 02:55 PM
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GLW covers of last 2 months
by GLW supporter
Wednesday November 16, 2005 at 10:27 AM
GLW@greenleft.org.au +61 2 9690 1220
click to enlarge
glw-641-649-covers.jpg, image/jpeg, 703x501
Solidarity forever ...
www.GreenLeft.org.au/
GLW backcovers of last 2 months
by GLW supporter
Wednesday November 16, 2005 at 10:34 AM
GLW@greenleft.org.au +61 2 9690 1220
click to enlarge
glw-639-649-backcovers.jpg, image/jpeg, 703x501
Solidarity forever ...
www.GreenLeft.org.au/
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