As part of a joint effort by Zapata’s Bookshop and the LeftPress collective
“After the Waterfront – the workers are quiet” 
Written by the LeftPress Collective
is being launched at
Zapata’s bookshop
(26 Horan Street,
West End) this
Friday, 14th November at 6 pm.
Refreshments will be provided.
Please let others who may be interested know that they are welcome to come
and speak to the issues raised in the book.
The book can be purchased for $10 by writing to LeftPress PO Box 5093 West End 4101.
The book is also available online at http://wpos.wordpress.com/
At the launch those who purchase the book will receive a free copy of Ernie Lane’s Dawn to Dusk
Contact Ian on 07 3398 5215 or 0417 391 015
Zapata’s Bookshop specialises in second hand books in the areas of political and social sciences, philosophy and general works. We see ourselves as not just providing books for sale or purchase but also a relaxed atmosphere where you are free to browse at your leisure. If you have any items you are searching for or would like to sell to us, give us a call, drop in or contact us.
Zapata’s hopes to have similar functions on an ongoing basis.
Dear Ian,
Last weeks shock announcement from the DPP that charges against Noel Washington would be dropped surprised us all. Now it is clearer than ever that the building and construction laws are in disarray, and need to be abolished.
Noel won’t be the last person to stand up to the ABCC and its laws.
Over a hundred construction workers have been interrogated and threatened with imprisonment by the Australian Building and Construction Commission. Many others have been fined for standing up for their rights on site.
Over the past few weeks, the Rights on Site Campaign has been collecting the stories of construction workers who have been affected by the ABCC’s laws.
Rob Wakelin’s story is glaring example of why these laws are unfair.
Rob was the site delegate at the Lake Cowell Gold Mine. When the Workers found maggots in their food and the boys walked out over the weekend. Rob was the union delegate on the job and their representative who let the management know that they needed better food. They thought it wasn’t too much to ask to have decent food on the job – wouldn’t you?
A year later the ABCC investigated and Robbie was fined and prosecuted because of industrial action that happened on the job. He was fined $1100 and the union fined $8000.
The story is better in his words so we have made a short 2 min video of Rob’s story – you can see it here
If you’ve been questioned by the ABCC and want to tell us what happened to you, get in touch with your union or write to yourstories@rightsonsite.org.au
One more thing…
RALLY ALERT! See flyer here
Can you could join us at our Day of Action on Tuesday 2nd December. We are organising rallies across Australia to call for the ABCC laws to be scrapped and to celebrate Noel’s victory.
Noel had been charged with refusing to attend an ABCC interrogation about a union meeting. A week before his trial was due to start, the Commonwealth DPP dropped the charges.
You can check out the rally locations here
Thanks for your support and hope to see you at the rallies on the 2nd Dec.
Dave Noonan on behalf of the Rights on Site Campaign
See http://bushtelegraph.wordpress.com/2008/11/16/after-the-waterfront-mua-%E2%80%94-here-to-stay/
Socialist Alliance National Conference
Geelong Trades Hall
Dec 5-7, 2008
Noel Washington (unionist facing a jail sentence for refusing to cooperate with the ABCC);
Nelson Davila (Venezuelan Charge d’affaires);
Rob Stary (civil liberties lawyer);
Sam Watson (Murri rights activist);
Dr Brian Senewiratne (Tamil-rights activist);
Soubhi Iskander (Sudanese activist and editor of GLW arabic supplement “The Flame”) + many many more….
The conference starts Fri night Dec 5 and goes until Sunday afternoon Dec 7.
SPECIAL PUBLIC FORUM
Saturday, December 6
• The financial, environmental and social roots of the crisis
Jamie Doughney (Victoria University) David Spratt (Carbon Equity Project) Lisa Macdonald (Socialist Alliance)
• Building the worker, community and environmentalist alliance against the crisis
Dave Kerin (Union Solidarity) John Rice (Adelaide Ecosocialists) Luke van der Muelen (CFMEU, La Trobe Valley) Mel Barnes (Resistance)
• What politics and campaigns to rebuild the union movement?
Noel Washington (CFMEU) Chris Cain (WA MUA)*
• Latin America’s struggle for a new world
Nelson Dávila (Chargé d’affaires, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela)
• The Great Socialist Afghan Feast
Rob Stary (Civil rights lawyer) Margarita Windisch (Socialist Alliance)
Sunday, December 7
Socialist Alliance Perspectives and Tasks in 2009
Sue Bolton (Victorian State Convener)
• Supporting and strengthening Indigenous Australia’s struggle for justice
Sam Watson (Socialist Alliance Indigenous Rights Spokesperson)
Pat Eatock (Aboriginal Rights Coalition)
• Building the movement for environmental sustainability
David White (National Environment Coordinator) Cam Walker (Friends of the Earth)
• Strengthening ties with the migrant left
Soubhi Iskander (Communist Party of Sudan, Socialist Alliance)
Dr Brian Seneviratne (Fighter for Tamil rights, Socialist Alliance)
Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front
Turan Ertekin (Party of Labour, Turkey, Socialist Alliance)
*To be confirmed
All welcome and encouraged to attend – if you are interested,
contact Paul on 0410 629 088
SPECIAL PUBLIC FORUM
Saturday, December 6
Financial Meltdown – What Response?
• The financial, environmental and social roots of the crisis
Jamie Doughney (Victoria University) David Spratt (Carbon Equity Project) Lisa Macdonald (Socialist Alliance)
• Building the worker, community and environmentalist alliance against the crisis
Dave Kerin (Union Solidarity) John Rice (Adelaide Ecosocialists) Luke van der Muelen (CFMEU, La Trobe Valley) Mel Barnes (Resistance)
• What politics and campaigns to rebuild the union movement?
Noel Washington (CFMEU) Chris Cain (WA MUA)*
• Latin America’s struggle for a new world
Nelson Dávila (Chargé d’affaires, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela)
• The Great Socialist Afghan Feast
Rob Stary (Civil rights lawyer) Margarita Windisch (Socialist Alliance)
Sunday, December 7
Socialist Alliance Perspectives and Tasks in 2009
Sue Bolton (Victorian State Convener)
• Supporting and strengthening Indigenous Australia’s struggle for justice
Sam Watson (Socialist Alliance Indigenous Rights Spokesperson) Pat Eatock (Aboriginal Rights Coalition)
• Building the movement for environmental sustainability
David White (National Environment Coordinator) Cam Walker (Friends of the Earth)
• Strengthening ties with the migrant left
Soubhi Iskander (Communist Party of Sudan, Socialist Alliance) Dr Brian Seneviratne (Fighter for Tamil rights, Socialist Alliance) Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front Turan Ertekin (Party of Labour, Turkey, Socialist Alliance)
*To be confirmed
—
“If you tremble with indignation at every injustice, you are a comrade of mine”
Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara
Paul Benedek, Brisbane Activist Centre, 74b Wickham St, Fortitude Valley
Ph: (07) 3831 2644 Mob: 0410 629 088 Email: paulb@greenleft.org.au
http://www.socialist-alliance.org/queensland
http://www.greenleft.org.au