"There but for fortune, may go you or go I -- you and I." - Phil Ochs

The names of the miners making the request are being kept confidential due to their concern of possible retribution by Massey Energy, whose Performance Coal subsidiary operates the mine. http://www.umwa.org/?q=news/umwa-designated-miners-representative-upper-big-branch-investigation

Massey Energy, the Virginia-based coal giant that runs the Upper Big Branch Mine, has denied time off for miners to attend their friends’ funerals; has rejected makeshift memorials outside the mine site; and, in at least one case, required a worker to go on shift even though the fate of a relative — one of the victims of the April 5 disaster — remained unknown at the time, according to some family members and other sources familiar with those episodes. In short, the company might be taking heat for putting profits and efficiency above its workers, but it doesn’t appear to have changed its tune in the wake of the worst mining tragedy in 40 years...

"Our liberties had not been won by mining magnates or stock-exchange jobbers, but by genuine men of the working-class movement who had died on the gallows and rotted in dungeons and were buried in nameless graves. These were the men to whom we owed the liberties we enjoyed today."

Friday, October 30, 2009 Tribe follows Ark to the steps of courthouse

Around one thousand supporters of Ark Tribe chanted "one law for all" as the Adelaide construction worker entered court for the third time since August. This time the case was heard in the Adelaide Magistrates Court which meant workers were able to come off various jobs to support Ark in his fight for justice. http://www.arkstribe.org.au/

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

Stand tall with Ark Tribe

Defend his right to silence at Adelaide Magistrates Court on October 30. Supporters from the construction industry, union members and the community will gather outside the Court at the Southern End of Victoria Square at 11.00am on Friday October 30.

To download a poster for the rally and spread the news see: http://cfmeu.asn.au/branch/sa

“These tales and images also serve to remind us that political activity need not be a predictable and grim slog. As well-resourced as our opponents may be, they are vulnerable to the use of creativity, solidarity and humour. Indeed, these are often the only tools we have.”

For a sneak preview, check out http://howtomaketroubleandinfluencepeople.org

http://bushtelegraph.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/building-unions-oppose-abcc-at-actu-congress.mp3

Inside the ACTU

The building unions in Australia are trying to get rid of the Australian Building & Construction Commission (ABCC). It was a recommendation of the Cole Royal Commission to industrial police attack the building unions. Union members support these attempts. The ABCC is a commission that was set up under the Howard government and continued under the Rudd Labor government. It is used to harrass and intimidate unions and their members.

Over 200 workers have been dragged up before the ABCC since it was set up. They are threatened with imprisonment. CFMEU official Noel Washington was threatened with prison under the Labor government. Because of pressure from the unions an inquiry was set up, called the Wilcox Inquiry which has recommended that the ABCC legislation to be moved across to Fair Work Australia, the ALP government’s IR legislation.

Defend Workers’ Rights Defend Community Living Standards For further Melbourne information: Western Suburbs Community and Unions Coalition 0417 456 001

Support Westgate Bridge Workers and Their Families Community Picnic Sunday 26 April 12.00 pm onwards Yarraville Gardens Cnr. Hyde Street & Somerville Road, Yarraville, Melway 42, C8 BBQ, Food, Drinks Speakers include Westgate Bridge Workers, Fr Bob Maguire & others Music, bands,inc. Chris Wilson & more. Children¹s activities

__________ Westgate bridge dispute by chriswhite on Sunday, 5 April 2009

In early March the multi-national construction giant John Holland sacked 39 Westgate Bridge workers because they refused to take a cut in their wages and conditions below industry standards. The 39 sacked Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) and Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) members were employed last December by Civil Pacific Services, the company sub-contracted by John Holland, under the “West Gate Bridge Project Agreement”, which was signed by the respective unions and Civil Pacific Services.