May Day - International Workers Day

This year thousands of construction, maritime and manufacturing workers in Sydney are walking off the job on International Workers Day – Mayday - to join a massive demonstration of working class power and politics.

This is the first time in decades since unions have broken-free of concerns about ‘illegal industrial action’ and are literally downing tools, shutting down factories and closing the ports at a time and place of our choosing – International Workers Day.

Joining us to discuss a major development in union militancy and politics in NSW is the MUAs very own branch Secretary Paul McAleer, our close friend and comrade Steve Murphy, the NSW State Secretary of the mighty AMWU and last but certainly not least, NSW Assistant Secretary of the NSW construction union Rob Kera. But as we know, the economy ain't’ what it once was.  Work ain't’ what it once was.  The vast majority of us aren’t in unions.  The service industry has exploded in size and significance, casual work is the ever-rising tide.  And what about care-labour?  Isn’t that work too? 

Thousands of workers who aren’t even in unions (as we know them) are expected to mobilise for this year's massive demo.  What does International Workers Day even mean to this huge, growing section of working class people in Australia?

 

Buckle in for this one, and make sure you and your mates are ready for May 1.”

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