Page 2 - Zac Hambides News Today

Hambides urged university workers to “reject the entire political establishment,” take up a socialist perspective, and “link up with our brothers and sisters in other workplaces.”

Hambides called for a mass meeting of all university workers to oppose the federal Labor government’s pro-business agenda.

When Gabriela Zabala, a Western Sydney University College staff member, sought to speak, she was denied the microphone.

While the NTEU’s political ban was directed against a Socialist Equality Party member, who was on strike himself, it set a precedent for use against any striking academic or staff member who opposes the union’s sellouts.

The censorship was aimed at preventing any exposure of the National Tertiary Education Union’s role in enforcing sweeping attacks on the jobs and conditions of academics and university staff.

There are real fears among staff members about being exposed, along with students, to the potentially fatal or long-term health consequences of COVID-19.

The event, titled “COVID-19 spreads through Australian schools: Lives before profit! Stop the pandemic!” featured a report from Evan Blake, a member of the US SEP and a leading WSWS writer.

The University of Sydney branch of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) voted overwhelmingly today to endorse moving to a protected action ballot.