It’s a Wrap?

In which Ben provides an update what’s on he’s mind and thoughts on the future of the show.  

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Thank you to guests that have provided their contributions to D’Oh! for nearly 4 years.  To our Patreon’s your support has meant that this show has been able to make a contribution to discussions about Labor and union activism, democratic socialism, Australian elections (its Dan’s fault), recent activist history, struggle in Chile and beyond.  

We initially intended this show as a way to engage with ACT Labor activists during the COVID years we did that and have been able to provide content to an audience many, many times larger then the dozens of Labor activists we were talking with. We’re especially proud to have supported the successful campaign for the introduction of a four-day work into ACT Labor’s platform (an ACT Government trail is coming). We’ve used this platform to promote struggle inside and outside Labor on issues such as empowered-democratic unions, ending Australia’s brutal treatment the poor, getting the market out of education and solidarity for justice internationally.

Ben is working on a project to provide more political education content for activists grappling with how to make Australian Labor governments deliver the transformative agenda we urgently need for people and planet. So stay tuned.

Amnesty International petitions on Australian arms trade to Israel and campaigns here

Defence hides Australia’s weapon sales to Israel amid war crimes investigation into Palestine, Michelle Fahy, Michael West Media, 16 August 2021

Struggle continues, solidarity for the win.

In which we hear about how members can have power in in their union by contesting the rare thing that is a genuine union election in Australia. Benno chats with union activists Jordana Colvin and Chris Warren from Democracy4CPSU a rank and file union group. Who organised a serious challenge to the leadership in the recent Community and Public Sector Union (PSU Group) national elections with it Members United ticket.

We learn how Members United pulled off an incredible challenge in less than three months created a national rank and file network of hundreds of union activists and what initial thoughts and lessons union activists can learn from in 2024.

Data on Australia’s miserable wage increases can be found here Wage Price Index and here Consumer Price Index at the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Jordana Colvin, Members United, quoted in Rate rise adds fuel to public servants' claim for a better pay deal, 8 November 2023 Chris Johnson

APS pay deal labelled a betrayal, CPSU challenger group urges rejection, 25 November 2023, Julian Bajkowski

CPSU leadership in fight for APS wages and its own survival, 3 November 2023, Chris Johnson

Members United - Members United Team - Home

Australia’s Public Sector Union Is in Decline Thanks to Its Labor-Aligned Leadership, Adam Mayers and Adriana Boisen, Jacobin, 31 August 2023

Cease Fire Now! Free Palestine. Show solidarity for peace wherever you are.

Thank you to our listeners and supporters that have kept this this show running. It means a lot. You can find our link tree and patreon supporter page here https://linktr.ee/dohkapital Please subscribe, like, share or leave a review on your preferred platform.

Keep on, keeping on.

Benno

In which we hear that we need Australian unions to fight for working people more than ever. And why Benno is supporting the challenge to the CPSU leadership this election.

Data on Australia’s can be found here Wage Price Index and here Consumer Price Index at the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Jordana Colvin, Members United, quoted in Rate rise adds fuel to public servants' claim for a better pay deal, 8 November 2023 Chris Johnson

Members United - Members United Team - Home

Australia’s Public Sector Union Is in Decline Thanks to Its Labor-Aligned Leadership, Adam Mayers and Adriana Boisen, Jacobin, 31 August 2023

Cease Fire Now! Free Palestine. Show solidarity for peace wherever you are.

Thank you to our listeners and supporters for keeping this show running. It means a lot. You can find our link tree and patreon supporter page here https://linktr.ee/dohkapital Please subscribe, like, share or leave a review on your preferred platform.

In which Benno briefs us on the train wreck that is wage increases being led into a wall by many Australian unions. He'll also talk you through the notable recent example of the Community and Public Sector Union leadership weak campaign to finally secure a above inflation wage rise for Australian federal public servants over ten years of having their wages squeezed. Benno also provides some of his varied unasked-for opinions on how being active in a union and contesting union elections is the way to get unions back on track. Recorded on 11 September.

Notes ABS Annual Wage increases

Australia’s Public Sector Union Is in Decline Thanks to Its Labor-Aligned Leadership, Adam Mayers and Adriana Boisen, Jacobin Australia

CPSU election 2023 notice

CPSU split on APS-wide pay bargaining, call for more aggressive approach, Canberra Times 11 September 2023

In which Benno briefs us on the raucous fight against AUKUS with gutless wonders at Australian Labor's National conference in August. Labor as a site of struggle and upcoming changes to D'Oh Kapital. All in 17 minutes

In which we hear its possible to push for more from the federal Labor party a year on from forming a government without being a silly stooge or sectarian simp. Ben catches up in person with the sharp socialist mind of Mathew Byrne and explore the positives of the past 12 months of the Albanese lead federal government. They talk progress on the campaign for a four-day work week in the ACT and explore how a strategy to organise both in and outside of Labor is delivering more from the federal parliamentary Labor party (PLP) then they’d otherwise give.The Federal PLP has not done enough to deal with the cost-of-living crisis, rampant inequality and climate catastrophe. Mathew and Ben explore a strategy to demand and push for more from federal Labor. Mathew Secretary of ACT Branch for over 5 years where big inroads were made into making Labor more democratic, accessible and community campaigned focused. The ACT Branch still remains one of if not the most democratic and progressive in Australia. The success of he’s tenure & leadership during the 2016 ACT election saw the Labor returned to government and growth of membership into thousands of members when he left. Please note the volume level for the first part of the chat is a tad low so please adjust for the first 20mins. So, sincere apologies. NotesWe recorded on 2 June 2023. The actual Fair Work Commission wage rises for minimum wage was increased by 8.6% and for millions of workers covered by industrial awards were raised by 5.75% as mentioned by Matthew.Australia's minimum wage increased by 5.75 per cent | SBS News Subscribe to this podcast and become a patreon www.patreon.com/dohkapital We are on Facebook and active on Twitter handle @dohkapital or email [email protected]

In which Ben learns that there is a lot of positive things going on in public education for educators from Patrick Judge (Secretary, Australian Education Union ACT Branch) Despite very serious social, economic and political factors in the sector.

We hear that teachers (and all workers) would benefit from a four day work week and that no matter how 'professional' people may think they are they need be in a union to be effective.

Episode recorded on 12 April 2023

Article mentioned https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/11/poor-discipline-in-australian-schools-among-factors-driving-teachers-away-oecd-warns

Ben's mike volume is a little low so apologies from Ben.