Stick Together

Weaving the braid of our shared struggle, on this stick together episode we listen to important voices from the movement and bring them toegther with reporting around the world to demonstrate how truly linked our struggles are and that when we are united in a common goal we can achieve what we want. Freedom and dignity for all.

This Wednesday the 15th October marks the 55th Anniversary of Australia's worst industrial disaster, the collapse of the Westgate Bridge - the bridge designed to run out of Melbourne to Geelong.35 Workers died in the collapse, and 18 were seriously injured as a result of the 1970 incident, but the design of the bridge was already in doubt beforehand, with a similar bridge having recently come down with worker deaths in the UK.Without the modern emergency service response, the workers were left to dig their comrades bodies out of the rubble. Three days later, they were all sacked. This is an excerpt from the Creatures of the Industry podcast, a 3CR Community Radio project and an oral history of those who made the building and construction industry in Melbourne since the 1960s.Here, survivor of the collapse and industry stalwart Pat Preston gives his first-hand account of the disaster and its aftermath... plus industry standards at the time, other near-misses on the bridge, and the pay and conditions fought and won on that job.This extended interview features the voices of Peter Clarke, and Creatures of the Industry Podcast host, Ralph Edwards. You can find the full extended interview with Pat Preston, plus all episodes and stories over at 3cr.org.au/cotiToday, after this episode is first broadcast in Melbourne on Wednesday Morning, families and supporters will gather in a yearly memorial organised by the Westgate Bridge Memorial Committee under the bridge on Douglas Parade in Spotswood.

Today three stories - Local, National, and International.First, down to the Public Housing towers in the inner Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy to hear from MSS Security Guards covered by the United Workers Union taking industrial action for fair pay and conditions at the public housing towers slated for demolition.Then we find out why the Australian Services Union has called a National Day of Action for the 23rd of October to protect fair wages and conditions for workers under the Social Community, homecare and disability services award.Finally, we find out more about the how Italian Unions were able to successfully manage two general strikes within weeks of each other in support of Gaza.

First we hear from Caterina Cinanni from the United Workers Union, the UWU, talking at the Ecosocialism Conference in September about organising migrant workers and the common interests of workers of all national backgrounds. Following with an exerpt from the Anti Racism Rally in Naarm on the Grand Final Weekend.

In today's episode, we amplify union voices from around the globe as the humanitarian crisis in Palestine escalates, affecting workers worldwide. We feature key speeches from the recent Trade Union Congress in the UK, including an impactful address by Shaher Saed, general secretary of the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU), and a stirring speech by Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU). Additionally, we present a translated statement from Italy's Unione Sindacale Di Base (USB), highlighting a historic display of solidarity among unions, students, and grassroots organizations.Before diving into these speeches, we cover important union news, including the World Health Organization's new report on climate change and workplace heat stress, alarming trends in worker surveillance technology, and a recent decision by the Fair Work Commission regarding industrial action at Solvay Interox. Join us as we explore the intersection of labor rights and global crises, emphasizing that peace is indeed union business.

On this episode of Stick Together, James speaks with Nina Crawley from Oxfam Australia about the new report Unravelling Exploitation, which exposes wage theft, forced labour and child labour in Bangladesh’s garment industry — and the links to Australian fashion brands. They discuss why current laws aren’t enough, how unions and workers are fighting back, and what we in Australia can do to push for systemic change.

Today we go to the Ecosocialist Conference held in Melbourne on the 6-7th of September at Balam Balam Place. We will hear from Jizelle Hanna, a former presenter on Stick Together presenter, who is now the Victorian Secretary of the CPSU, a feat which came about in a members lead win against an encumbent of 30 years standing. The session Jizelle is part of is called Organising workers in today's economy.

We report on the March for Australia rallies on the 31st of August.We follow this with part of a presentation here by Iza Camarillo for Trade Justice Education Fund from the US about her report Exporting Instability, Importing Exploitation - The Impacts of U.S. Trade Policy on Migration in Latin America here.

For this weeks episode we focus on the many different intersections between workers of every type and Palestine as well taking a front row seat to the Palestine Solidarity rallies that took place on the 24th of August where VTHC secretary Luke Hilakari spoke.

James speaks with former ASU (Australian services Union) delegate Jeff about his battle in fair work to win for his workplace. A winning story that took their fight to fair work to battle it out for 5 years before winning back unpaid wages to members. We also hear some current industrial actions in Union news.