UNITE fights for young workers rights
SP Newsletter No.227
Video Dogs, a video shop in the Melbourne suburb of Carlton, has been forced to back-pay its workers over $4800. This came after UNITE revealed they were paying young workers with DVD rental instead of wages.
UNITE broke the story in the national media and called on the Workplace Ombudsman to investigate. After they were named in the media, Video Dogs paid out nearly $500 to six employees who were paid with DVDs. A number of other employees who were underpaid have also been back-paid more than $4300.
The Workplace Ombudsman decided not to prosecute Video Dogs on this occasion but has warned that they have been put on notice.
UNITE said in a press release that “It’s unfortunate that the Ombudsman has accepted ignorance as an excuse on this occasion, we would have liked to see a prosecution. Nevertheless this should serve as a warning to all dodgy bosses in retail.â€
On the back of the publicity from the Video Dogs case, UNITE were approached by a group of 7-Eleven workers who were being paid as little as $9 per hour. Many of these workers were international students.
Again under pressure from UNITE, the Workplace Ombudsman was forced to investigate the claims and conducted a series of raids on 7-Eleven stores in the Melbourne CBD. Side by side with the raids UNITE has embarked on a campaign to organise 7-Eleven stores.
For a small union with very few resources UNITE are doing a fantastic job of fighting for young workers rights. To join or to donate to UNITE visit: http://www.unite.org.au/
SP financial appeal
SP needs $20,000. Please read this important appeal and donate now!
http://www.socialistpartyaustralia.org/archives/1446
Help the SP election campaign in Yarra
All Victorian Councils will go to the polls on November 29. SP will be running a strong campaign in the City of Yarra. We will be defending Stephen Jolly’s seat in the Langridge ward and we will also be standing Denise Dudley in the Melba ward and Anthony Main in the Nichols ward.
We will need help letterboxing, staffing the pre polling booths and on election day. We also need to raise money to pay for the campaign. If you can help in any way contact our National Office on 0396399111. For more information about our work in Yarra visit.
http://www.socialistpartyaustralia.org/council
What’s on?
Public Meeting in Melbourne - Greens, SP & Solidarity debate!
Debate: Challenging the Rudd agenda - How should the left organise?
Speakers include: Adam Bandt (Greens Candidate for Melbourne Lord Mayor), David Glanz (Solidarity), and Anthony Main (Socialist Party).
Details: 7pm August 27th @ Trades Hall Carlton South. For more informational call 96399111
YCAT Fundraising event in Melbourne
Rod Quantock comedy show: First Man Standing - Forty Years a Fool
Rod has generously offered to donate $10 from every ticket sold on August 28 to the Yarra Campaign Against the Tunnel (YCAT).
The details are: Thursday, 28th August 2008 at Trades Hall, Carlton South @ 8:00pm, Tickets: $30, Bookings: comedyattrades.com.au or 03 9659 5699 or at the door. All welcome
News links
Chile: Release Elena Varela!
http://www.socialistworld.net/eng/2008/08/15chilea.html
US: Union adopts socialist demands on housing crisis
http://www.socialistworld.net/eng/2008/08/14usa.html
Ireland: Unions must defend jobs & fight cuts
http://www.socialistworld.net/eng/2008/08/05irelaa.html
Join the Socialist Party
If you agree with what you have read in our newsletter or on our website you should consider joining SP. The Socialist Party has branches in Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle and Perth as well as members and supporters in all other states.
We are involved in trade union work and student work. We also run community, anti-war and environmental campaigns. But most of all we want to build a party that will fight to get rid of the capitalist system, the system that is at the root of all of these problems. We fight for socialism - a system that will bring an end to wars, poverty and environmental destruction. To join SP contact our National Office on 03 9639 9111 and we will send you a membership application form.
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Socialist Party contact details
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Sydney: Phone Gary on 0297287727.
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The Socialist Party is the Australian section of the Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI). The CWI is organised in over 40 countries across the world.
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