Stick Together

Two stories this week the first looks at the CFMEU Administration & it's decisions in relation to CFMEU Women. Our second story goes to the proposed new Worker's Memorial to be built beside the historic eight hour monument across from Victoria Trades Hall. We speak to Jill Anholt, sculpture artist, whose concept has been chosen for the site.

On Monday 23rd June, community members rallied at Coburg Town Hall to save the social worker position at Merri-bek libraries. In February, Merribek Council ended the successful 2-year pilot program for a permanent social worker in the library, and had refused to commit to the program. The protest called on the council to fund a full time in-house library social worker in this time of multiple comp...

Two stories this week first we go to the Vic HACSU rally the second stop work action this year for HACSU Health and Community Service Union workers working in mental health fighting cuts and wage disparity across the sector. The second story is a look at the High court Ruling that cements the legality of the enforced administration of the CFMEU Construction and General Division by the Federal Labo...

On this episode of Stick Together hosted by James Brennan we hear some union news covering industrial actions across the country. And we hear a talk from the Marxism conference that analysis what the modern working class looks like, countering right wing assertions of the demise of the working class and avenues to fight back against the system.

Two reports today. First up Union reaction to the Native Title Tribunal in NSW clearing the way for multinational mining behemoth Santos to start mining the Pilliga Forest for gas in the face of opposition from Traditional Owners, the Gomeroi people in May. Secondly we go to the Golden Plains Wind Farm dispute between the CFMEU and the Danish multinational BMS.

Today we go to the rally by Voice for Members CPSU (Community and Public Sector Union) on the steps of Victorian Parliament Wednesday 28th May pushing back against announced cuts of 3,000 public service jobs in the recent Victorian State budget.

Two reports today. The first takes us to Altona North in Melbourne to a community picket supporting food workers at one of the largest bakery companies operating in Australia who began stop work action on May 14 for a 15% wage increases over three years. Our second story takes us back to the historic 1998 Waterfront dispute with Patrick’s with some mind blowing facts about the extent Government an...

This week's episode of Stick Together brings you stories from the frontline with union news followed by a talk from the Marxism conference on the 1917 General Strike in Australia. 

Today we are exploring the issue of a 4-day work week with some experiences from Unions in the UK.

On today’s program we wrap up May Day Events around the world and of course, right here in Australia. Happy May Day Comrades! May the struggle continue

On 24 April 2013 the eight-story Rana Plaza building in Dhaka Bangladesh collapsed. The owners of a number of garment factories in the building had ignored the most basic safety regulations, and forced workers to keep working when it was clear the walls were cracking. In Bangladesh, workers are paid monthly, at the end of the month. The collapse happened on the 24th, and workers were threatened wi...

When Chris Breen and his wife lost their baby Priya when she was just six weeks old, they needed time to grieve. But while Chris was still able to take his planned three months of parental leave, his wife, who goes by the name Priya’s mum, was forced back to work. That's because her planned paid maternity leave was cancelled by her employer. The two embarked on an important but very emotional camp...

This episode with host James Brennan brings you union news and an interview with Alexis Vassiley author of the new book Striking ore 'The Rise and fall of union power in the Pilbara'. Striking ore focuses on the workers themselves including their agitating for hard won breakthroughs in pay, conditions and safety. 

After a 74-hour strike by 1,000 workers, the Nexperia Philippines Workers’ Union secured the reinstatement of union leaders Mary Ann Castillo (president) and Girlie Battad (union official), along with a PHP50 (US$0.87) wage increase over three years. My guest today is Rochelle Porras from Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research in the Philippines.

The Wills electorate is currently held by Labor MP Peter Kahlil who has been the elected representative since 2016. This show is not to endorse any candidates for the election but is looking into a key seat in the federal election. Some of the issues we have been covering on the show such as the CFMEU, Palestine, Socialist politics, military spending, cost of living and the parties connection to t...

In today's program we continue our focus on how workers win against the odds we look at the Living Wage Movement Aotearoa NZ where a coalition of faith groups, community organizations and unions worked in partnership starting in 2012 on the Living Wage Campaign. We speak with former Union Organizer turned author Lyndy McIntyre about the campaign which she writes about in her document of the strugg...

 In today's program we ask the question how do people get positive change at work and in their communities when the powers that be seem to be against them?  First we hear from two industrial campaigns that gained positive outcomes for the workers involved.

We’ve been covering the recent Victorian Government’s announcement in relation to the slashing of 3000 jobs across the Victorian public service. And we’ve been covering a rank n file caucus of workers in the Victorian Public Service, that is fighting to take back their union. A Voice For Members organised against the job cuts, and in defence of their own jobs. The rally was held on the steps of Pa...

Today we have two reports. The first puts the experiences of meat processing workers in Australia under the PALM (Pacific Australian Labour Mobility) scheme under the microscope. Pyria Kunjan speaks with Ema Moolachand about a recent RMIT report here (exhibition here report here petition here) We follow with a word from people who gathered for the Pride March down Fitzroy St, St Kilda on the 2 of...

On this weeks episode of Stick Together host James Brennan speaks with author Santilla Chingaipe about her book 'Black Covcits: How slavery shaped Australia.'The discussion talk about how this legacy of convicts of African descent were aboard the first fleet shapes modern Australian racism. The impact of Peter Dutton and the Murdoch media's frenzy of racist hysteria around African gangs on African...

Today’s show is about international solidarity, and especially the kind that you build up when you travel to other countries and meet workers involved in struggle. My guest today is Clive Tillman, who attended the International Solidarity Affairs in Manila in the Philippines, that was organised by the militant labour group, the Kilusang Mayo Uno. Plus, some union news!

Last week saw a momentous occasion at the North Fitzroy Library, Melbourne – the launch of A Voice For Members a new rank-and-file caucus covering Victorian state public servants. A Voice For Members is a group of CPSU SPSF members the Community and Public Sector Union and State Public Service Federation committed to revitalising the union by strengthening grassroots  democracy. donations

January 26. Australia Day. Invasion It marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British Ships at Port Jackson, in New South Wales, the raising of the Flag of Great Britain at that site by Governor Arthur Phillip, the invasion of Australia and the start of genocide against the original owners of this land. January 26 is a day of mourning and a day of struggle, marked by big,...

In this program we hear from Nurses and Midwives for Palestine speaking up at the Sydney Rally for Palestine on Jan 11. The speaker is Mark and there was a line up of about 20 people in scrubs with a big banner. Mark tells us how they are disappointed that their actual union does not endorse this but that they are a group which has come to every rally. This speech gives a background to the recent...

Stick Together is a half-hour weekly show about workers rights and current affairs. Stick Together features interviews with workers, unionists, community campaigners and academics from right across Australia. This episode of Stick together features an interview with Alex Ettling and Iain McIntyre authors and editors of the book 'Knocking the top off' a people's history of alcohol in Australia. Ale...