Workers rally for equal pay
July fast news
20,000 workers around Australia marched on June 10 to demand equal pay for women.
The Australian Services Union (ASU) organised marches in 17 locations around the country in the biggest national rally for womens’ wages since the 1970s.
3000 marched in Sydney and in Melbourne approximately 5000 workers marched through the CBD. Rallies were held in all the capital cities and some regional towns.
Workers in female dominated sectors, such as community services, are paid significantly less than workers in male dominated industries.
The average wage for women is 18 per cent less than the average wage for men, a gap that has changed little since the 1970’s.
The ASU is campaigning for pay rises of between 18 and 37 per cent for community sector workers. This would bring their wages in line with other sections of the workforce.
The Socialist Party participated in the national day of action and demands equal pay for equal work!
International protests against the killing of peace activists
When the Israeli Defense Force opened fire on peace activists attempting to enter the Gaza strip last month, outrage echoed around the world.
Mass demonstrations against the action of the Israeli government began almost instantaneously in dozens of cities across the globe, drawing tens of thousands of people.
In Australia a snap rallies occurred the day after the attack, where hundreds came together to demand an end to the blockade of Gaza.
Within Israel, nearly 10,000 Israeli Jews and Palestinians came out together to protest in central Tel Aviv. They called for an end to the siege on Gaza, and a stop to Israeli state terror.
In the occupied territories, protests against the killings occurred in the West Bank and Gaza.
The SP’s sister party in Palestine/Israel, ‘Socialist Struggle Movement’ participated in these demonstrations.
The international protests show that there exists mass anger across the globe toward the Israeli government’s murderous oppression of Palestinian people.
Richmond residents oppose inappropriate development
Residents of the Melbourne suburb of Richmond came together on June 5 to demand community control over development and more services for the growing population.
Richmond has become a ‘developer’s dream’, with huge development projects being approved without community consultation. These developments, mostly residential, are not being matched with much needed transport, health, community and education facilities to service the local residents.
Speakers at the rally included Socialist Party Councilor Stephen Jolly and representatives from local resident’s campaign groups.
Further actions are required to build a strong community campaign against inappropriate development and demand better services for the residents of Richmond.
