Western Australian school teachers to strike, first time in a decade
Amid a skyrocketing cost of living, the Labor government and the unions have enforced a public sector wage freeze.
News, analysis and political perspective for educators, delivered to your email inbox each week.
Amid a skyrocketing cost of living, the Labor government and the unions have enforced a public sector wage freeze.
The cuts will accelerate the decline in enrolments, which began in the 1980s as the result of the deliberate weakening of public education by Labor and Liberal-National Coalition governments.
Teachers, parents and community members in Ann Arbor gathered this week at city-wide meeting speaking out against layoffs and attacks on public education.
The claim that “there is no money” is a lie. In Michigan, where the Democrats fully control the state government, corporate handouts—particularly to the automakers—amount to billions.
We workers have every right to take all action deemed necessary to protect our jobs, regardless of whether you choose to sanction them or not. If you will not fight the layoffs, then get out of the way so that UPS workers can do it ourselves.
A rank-and-file rebellion against not just management, but also against the union bureaucracy, is the only thing that can stop this. As long as the Teamsters sellout artists remain in charge, UPS will succeed in its drive to cut jobs. But if we break out of their control, and develop new, alternative structures, that will change the balance of power in our favor.
The unprecedented plan laid out last month to close 200 facilities is the next stage in an offensive against jobs at UPS and requires an urgent response.
The Health Trade Union Alliance (HTUA) last Wednesday announced that it would call an indefinite strike from today. However, after discussion with health and finance ministry officials, HTUA leaders called off the strike.
We are building a network of rank-and-file educators, students, parents, and workers to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.