The Liberal Party coalition government, reelected in October for a fourth term, plans to use its new Senate majority after July 1 to introduce legislation that employers will use to step up their assault on workers’ wages and working conditions.

In the biggest action, some 120,000 workers rallied and marched June 30 in a demonstration that brought central Melbourne to a standstill. The same day, tens of thousands also rallied in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and other cities.

The next day 100,000 workers attended meetings at 200 venues across the state of New South Wales to watch a televised broadcast of union officials explaining the government attacks and union response at the main Sydney meeting. Then more than 20,000 unionists marched through the city in protest.

In the lead-up to the main rallies, 630 truckers belonging to the Transport Workers’ Union staged a protest convoy across Sydney Harbour Bridge June 19. On June 27, some 3,000 mining, construction, and dock workers in the remote Pilbara iron ore region of northwestern Australia walked off the job for 24 hours and rallied to oppose the laws.

Addressing the Melbourne rally, federal Labor Party opposition leader Kim Beazley promised to “undo” some of the anti-union laws if elected. He said that the “underlying culture of the Australian nation” of “workers and employers who respected each other” was “under threat from one man’s old and tired dream.”

Across the country union speakers and placards voiced similar views, saying the anti-working-class attacks arose from “Howard’s agenda,” referring to Prime Minister John Howard.

The proposed laws aim to strip legal protection for most union conditions and pay scales under current awards (lawful industry-wide conditions). They will give the green light for employers to cut back penalty rates (premium pay) on overtime and shift work, long service and redundancy (layoff) entitlements, and extra pay for annual leave and casual workers.

The government plans to end unfair dismissal laws for workplaces with less than 100 employees. The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) says this will abolish legal protection against arbitrary sackings for some 3.6 million workers.

An ACTU brochure says the government also plans to restrict the right to strike and workplace access by union officials. The new laws undermine workers’ ability to bargain collectively by making it easier for employers to impose “individual contracts” on workers.

The turnout at the rallies indicated how widely unpopular the new laws are among working people. A recent Herald poll showed 60 percent were opposed to the proposed measures.

The mass union response has caused some concern in big-business circles. The July 6 issue of the Australian, titled “Selling change necessary,” urged Howard to step up the campaign promoting the antiunion legislation.

As part of ongoing activities, the unions are promoting an August 7 protest rally and community concert in Sydney.  
 
 
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