Dear comrades, This afternoon at approximately 1 pm, a large number of Labor Party MPs and staffers crossed a large workers picket line to enter the NSW Parliament House, under the protection of several hundred police. While 15 workers were taken by police (including me), none were arrested and the police were somewhat restrained - their union supported the picket line! those removed were released and made to walk back to the picket line. The picket line was called by the NSW Labor Council because the NSW Labor government had announced its intention to push through a Bill to reduce workers rights to accident compensation. This affects three million workers in NSW. This is an historic event, and will cause massive conflict inside the NSW Labor Party, unless the proposed Bill is withdrawn in the next few hours. If not, and the Bill is passed this evening, there is likely to be a major strike movement, probably starting tomorrow. Would you please send a short message of solidarity to the NSW Labor Council, stating your objection to the Labor MPs crossing the picket line, and your support for the union campaign to defend the existing rights of workers to compensation for accidents or sickness related to work. Write fax or email to: John Robertson Secretary, NSW Labor Council 10th Floor, 377-383 Sussex St SYDNEY NSW 2000 AUSTRALIA Fax: +61 2 9261 3505 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> In solidarity Peter Murphy Philippines Australia Union Link -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
