Industrial Workers of the World

Vigil to Welcome Refugees Tampa, SIEV X ... Never again Vigil to Welcome Refugees Demand a fair deal for asylum seekers Process the asylum seekers' claims and offer them safety in Australia Monday 26 October 2009 5.30pm at Federation Square Melbourne Bring your own messages of support for the refugees, placards and banners etc. Organised by Refugee Action Collective. Supported by the Tamil Community. For information: phone Marie 0409 252673 or Sue 0413-377-978

Protest rally for improved OHS laws All unions OHS delegates Lunch Time Protest Rally At Annual OHS Conference 1pm Wednesday 28 October Melbourne Convention Centre next to Polly Woodside South Wharf, Yarra River Melbourne A well attended VTHC affiliates meeting in Melbourne on Friday 16 October endorsed ongoing activities to support efforts to win the best OHS national laws possible, during the current moves to ‘harmonise’ Australia’s multitude of OHS legislation. The meeting called for updated material on the outstanding concerns, paid radio ads during the current ‘public comment’ phase and a lunch time protest action at the upcoming Victorian OHS Health & Safety Representatives' Conference. Read more at the VTHC website Read more on the Victorian OHS

Health & Safety Representatives' Conference Health & Safety at Work Conference VTHC Annual OHS Reps Conference: 28 October 2009 The eighth annual OHS Representatives Conference, “Time to deliver the highest OHS standards” is being held on Wednesday October 28 at the NEW Melbourne Convention Centre - 1 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf, 3006 (Crown side of the Yarra River). Melways reference 2EK9. NOTE: this is the NEW Convention Centre - download the map for more information. As in previous years, the VTHC has gained approval for the Seminar from the VWA under the OHS Act [Section 69(1)(d)(ii)]. This is a free event for Health and Safety Representatives; morning tea and lunch will be provided.

The theme of the Conference is Having a voice is having an impact. There are a range of eminent speakers, including Keynote Speaker, UK-based Fiona Murie, WorkSafe, Unions and academics. When registering, reps will need to nominate which morning workshop they wish to attend. The workshops are: Enforcing the law Manual Handling Injuries Work intensification Model Laws: where are we? Illness from work Return to work Read more Register Read more

Rally - Abolish the ABCC Rally Friday 30 October at 9.30am ABCC headquarters, 533 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne. Abolish the ABCC - Support Ark Tribe. Part of national protests to support SA construction worker Ark Tribe, under persecution by Rudd & Gillard's building industry star chamber, the ABCC.

1928 Waterfront Dispute Commemoration Commemoration of the 1928 Waterfront Dispute Port Melbourne Sunday 1 November at 11 am Gather at Beacon Vista between Station and Prince’s Pier Port Melbourne (Melways reference: 56K3). Walk to sites of waterfront and union history in Port Melbourne, ending at Port Melbourne Bowling Club for a family day BBQ. Click here to download leaflet

Sri Lanka Forum Sri Lanka: Human Rights Issues and Media Representation Tuesday 10 November, from 6 - 8 pm. Monash University Caulfield Campus 900 Dandenong Road Caulfield East Presented by the Victorian Trades Hall Council, Amnesty International, the Human Rights Law Resource Centre, the Alfred Deakin Research Institute, the Herb Feith Foundation (Monash University) and the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (Sydney University).

The recent turn back of the boat of Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seekers is a poignant indication of how bad the situation in Sri Lanka is, particularly (but not only) for Tamils, and it is hoped that this forum will generate more interest and understanding of the situation there.

Hacienda Luisita Commemoration The massacre of striking workers at Hacienda Luisita demonstrates once again that the path to a better future means a life and death struggle for the toiling masses, as those who lord over society will never willingly surrender their wealth and power. Join us in commemorating the courage of the Hacienda Luisita mill & farm workers and supporters, and oppose the violation of workers’ rights.

Monday, November 16 6:30 pm, Victorian Trades Hall Cnr Lygon and Victoria Streets, Carlton Speaker - Rene Galang, President of United Luisita Workers Union (ULWU - one of the workers’ unions in Hacienda Luisita, Philippines) Film Showing - “Sa Ngalan Ng Tubo” (In the Name of Sugar Cane) A documentary film on the struggle and the massacre of the workers and supporters at Hacienda Luisita, Central Luzon, Philippines. For further information: George Kotsakis - 1300 366 674 Reyvi Marinas - 0421 119776 AAWL - 9663 7277 Organised by: Migrante Melbourne Endorsed and Supported by: Australia Asia Workers Links (AAWL), Philippines Australia Solidarity Association (PASA) and Gabriela Australia Read more

International Trade Union Youth Conference International Trade Union Youth Conference Lima, Peru 18-20 November 2009 The organizing committee, the General Confederation of Workers of Peru (CGTP) and the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) call upon all affiliated and frieldy organizations to participate in this 1st International Trade Union Youth Conference. Click here for more information

Mexican Electrical Workers Union - International Solidarity In the middle of the night Saturday 10th October, President Felipe Calderon sent six thousand soldiers and militarized Federal Police to take over state power company Luz y Fuerza installations in Mexico City and the states of Mexico, Puebla, Morelos, and Hidalgo. Immediately following the takeover, Calderon issued an executive order closing Luz y Fuerza. The Mexican Electrical Workers Union (SME) has asked for international solidarity in resisting the government liquidation of their company, the termination of the workers, and thus the destruction of the union. Report: International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions Report: Military, Federal Police Bust Mexican Electrical Workers Union To protest this action, you can write to President Felipe Calderón at felipe.calderon@presidencia.gob.mx. You can copy your protest email to sinmexel@sme.org.mx. You may send the following letter, based on the Mexican Electrical Workers Union demands, making modifications as you see fit • Read more

australia asia worker links - workers change the world PO Box 45 Carlton South Victoria 3053 Australia Tel: + 61 3 9663 7277 Email: aawl@aawl.org.au Web: aawl.org.au