Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
7 May 2021
Korea: Renault Samsung autoworkers locked out
Renault Samsung Motors management locked out 1,900 workers at its Busan plant, 450 kilometres south of Seoul, on Tuesday morning. Management initiated the lockout in response to strike action the previous Friday, again on Monday and a planned eight-hour walk out on Tuesday.
The unionised workers voted to take strike action in February, in protest against management demands for a voluntary retirement program, a wage freeze and reduced bonus of 3 million won ($2,700), citing reduced sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Workers are demanding a 70,000-won increase in basic pay, a 7 million won bonus and are opposed to the company’s restructuring plans.
Date Time
Australia’s electricity infrastructure undermined by $1 billion per year underinvestment
That is the conclusion of a detailed review of empirical and qualitative data on the transmission and distribution system contained in a new report from the Australia Institute.
Key findings:
The electricity grid is facing increasing challenges: including increased severe weather events, bushfires, and the need to reliably integrate new renewable energy generation into the system. But years of underinvestment in capital and maintenance have left the system vulnerable to disruptions, failures, and disasters.
The report shows that maintenance and operating costs across the system should be increased by at least $1 billion per year, to match historical levels of real spending per electricity customer.Real per capita operating and maintenance expenditures have been slashed by 28% (in distribution) and 33% (in transmission) compared to 2006 levels.
May Day in Parramatta. Photo: Peter Boyle
Sydney’s May Day march on May 1 highlighted the green ban imposed by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union on the demolition of Willow Grove, a heritage-listed building which the NSW government wants to “move” to make way for the Powerhouse Museum.
Around 3000 trade unionists and supporters took part in the upbeat rally through the city’s streets from Prince Alfred Park to Willow Grove.
Following the welcome to country by a Dharug woman trade union member, speakers addressed a variety of struggles including the need for international solidarity under COVID-19, the resilience of frontline workers and the injustice of wage freezes and austerity. Natalie Lang from the Australian Services Union and Allen Hicks from the Electrical Trades Union criticised the federal government for its complete failure to act on sexual harassment at work.
Labour Day march in Brisbane. Pic: Liam Kidston
News by Shiloh Payne
Premium Content Thousands of Queenslanders have gathered for a Labour Day parade through Brisbane City. The march, which began at 10am has seen several roads through Spring Hill, Fortitude Valley and Bowen Hills closed. Attendees have been heard chanting the workers united will never be defeated. Several participants brought their young children along for the March, pushing prams and playing music from cars. The Australian Federation of Locomotive Employees, Together Union, Electrical Trades Union, Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employee Union, Communication Workers Union and Queensland Transport Unions Federation are some of the organisations participating in the parade.
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Nine years after Kasey Balchin and her dad Andrew made the front page of the Daily Mercury for taking part in Mackay’s Labour Day march, the teen was back again on Monday proudly flying the flag for the Electrical Trades Union.
But this year, the family tradition of the Labour Day march ahead without her dad.
“I mainly march for my dad. I love marching and singing out all the war cries,” Kasey said.
“Today is one of my special days. Me and my dad have been doing this march for years now.
“I remember when I was four years old, I also got my picture in the Daily Mercury back then.