12-07-06, 8:49 am

Last week's massive demonstrations by the trade union movement, community organisations, and progressive political parties was a powerful message to the Federal Government despite the attendances being below those expected. The numbers attending were certainly affected by the direct employer intimidation in many workplaces and fear in the minds of many workers that their participation would result in the sack. Their fears are legitimate, as employers increasingly try to impose the Federal Coalition Government's anti- trade union legislation.

The government and employers know very well that the WorkChoices legislation is a weapon to be used to force down working conditions and wages. Every day examples of its use come to light, confirming this. Their objective is to completely destroy the trade union movement and render workers power. But experience shows that trade unionists and workers will fight back no matter how difficult the struggle becomes.

The necessity for trade unions arises inevitably from the exploitation by the employers of labour and the fact that despite every effort to divide workers and keep them apart, sometimes physically, they cannot overcome the fact that work itself brings workers together in one or another area of employment and that the production process creates the circumstances for collective organisation and collective action.

Even if the employers and the fascist-like Howard Government succeeded for a time in shackling this or that trade union, it would inevitably find a way to arise again at some time and in some place. The campaign by the trade union movement in Australia, the very widespread actions which took place across Australia last week and the high level of unity, is the best guarantee that this is a fate that cannot be easily imposed on the Australian labour movement.

Last week's demonstrations and their outcome need to be studied to see what can be done to improve organisation although it is already at a reasonably high level. So is the presentation of the case of the trade unions. The next national day of action will be on April 22, 2007 — a Sunday. This creates the potential for greater community involvement, a process already taking place with the formation of Your Rights at Work committees around Australia. More community organisations could be encouraged to officially take part and bring their supporters onto the streets with the trade unionists. Their leaders be offered a place among the speakers. It could see their specific economic and political demands reflected in the propaganda of the trade union movement. Sunday also makes it possible for the actions to be more of a family day.

It is reported that there was some criticism of the slogan adopted by the ACTU — 'Your Rights at Work Worth Fighting and Voting For'. The fact is that while the main strength of the movement is expressed by the meetings and demonstrations the Howard Government is only going to be thrown out by votes in ballot boxes at the time of the next election. So voting in the election is also part of the struggle and although the extra-parliamentary actions are central, they should not be posed against voting in elections.

In this respect, and recognising that at this stage the only alternative to the Liberal/National Party coalition is a Labor Party Government the question of the best Labor Party leadership to defeat Howard is also important. It would be a tragedy for the working people of Australia if a failed leadership or ALP in-fighting allowed Howard to sail back with another electoral victory. The Howard Government has to be thrown out in 2007 not in 2010.

In addition to the question of leadership, another important factor in the outcome of this election is the necessity for the ALP to decided that it will exchange preferences with The Greens across the board. If it is possible for Greens and Labor Party members and trade unions led by Labor Party members to demonstrate together why not exchange electoral preferences?

Not only must the government be defeated in the House of Representatives but Howard's majority in the Senate must also be turned around — and that requires a principled preference swap. In the meantime, let's keep up the fight-back and the propaganda and prepare for the next round.

From The Guardian