The Unite Union has been instrumental in getting the British Trade Union Congress (TUC) to support the Free Ocalan Campaign. The webinar is organised by Australians For Kurdistan, Rojava Solidarity Sydney, Solidarity With Rojava Network (WA) and Federation of Democratic Kurdish Society.
Baker spoke to
Green Left a week out from the webinar.
Why is it important for the trade union movement to take up the campaign to free Abdullah Öcalan?
The trade union movement has a long and proud history of supporting the struggles of workers and oppressed people around the world, we have fought for the rights of Palestinians, of trade unionists and social activists in Colombia, for the repressed people’s of Western Sahara, trade unionists in Myanmar and Belarus, and against the oppressive policies of right wing governments such as that of [Jair] Bolsonaro in Brazil. This history also includes campaigns to release political prisoners such as the Cuban 5, [Luiz Inacio] Lula [da Silva in Br
A December Actuaries Institute podcast pointed out that gig workers have “no employment rights under the Commonwealth Fair Work Act to legal minimum pay rates, sick leave, or unfair dismissal protections”.
Its research confirmed previous findings that gig economy workers are over-represented in sections of the workforce with less bargaining power students, those who have been unemployed and young people.
The death of five meal delivery riders in two months at the end of last year shone the spotlight on delivery riders’ conditions.
Another delivery rider was seriously injured on March 12. The 20-year-old was rushed to hospital with severe head injuries after being hit by a car in Sydney’s south.
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Unions NSW, the National Tertiary Education Union, the Electrical Trade Union, Public Service Association, the NSW Nurses, the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union, theFlight Attendants Association of Australia, the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, the Hair Stylists Australia and the United Services Union attended. The Sydney Knitting Nannas and Friends and Asian Women at Work were also present.
Speakers included Beverly Baker from the Older Women’s Network, Trish Doyle from the Australian Labor Party, Greens MP Jenny Leong and world-record holding marathon swimmer and domestic violence survivor Chloe McCardel.
Leong talked about the need for sexual consent education following a petition launched by 22-year-old Chanel Contos who shared her story of sexual violence at school. It has encouraged thousands of others to share their stories on Teach Us Consent. The petition has received more than 30,000 signatures and more than 2800 testimonies.
If you like our work, become a supporter
Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.
For just $5 per month get the
Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.
Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.