Workers Won't Give Up Rights

Illawarra Mercury

Friday December 1, 2006

By DUNCAN ABEY

Their jobs varied greatly but yesterday's protesters were united by a common cause. By DUNCAN ABEY

SITTING at the front of WIN Stadium's western grandstand were friends Paul Jewitt, a boilermaker from Primbee, and Towradgi crane driver Vince Ianni.

Mr Jewitt said although he was coming to the end of his working career, he had attended yesterday's rally for the sake of his children and grandchildren.

"These laws are about reintroducing upper and lower classes in Australia, and driving a wedge between them," he said.

"Howard only wants to know about billionaires, not the bloke with only two dollars in his pocket."

Mr Ianni said the Federal Government's IR reforms were being forced on an unwilling public.

"This is an act of dictatorship because these laws are not what the public wants," he said.

"Australia doesn't need these laws. All they are doing is making more profit for capitalists - they won't change the Australian economy."

Among the thousands at yesterday's rally was union legend Fred Moore - a veteran of workers' rallies in NSW since his first in 1932. The 84-year-old liked what he saw in the march up Crown St, claiming it was the beginning of the end for the Howard Government.

"Any demonstration on the street is very heartening, and this was a very good one," Mr Moore said.

"These laws are draconian, but I think the workers can fight back and I am confident this Government is on its last legs."

Joining the march up Crown St with a large Eureka flag in hand was Jamberoo carpenter Craig Neville.

The long-time union member joined the rally to protest against a "growing Americanisation" of the Australian industrial relations system.

"I've been a CFMEU member my whole life and have worked all over Australia," Mr Neville said.

"I came down today because it's not only workers' rights that are being eroded in Australia, but civil rights as well."