International Women’s Day in Melbourne – 6 March March 8, 2009

One of the banners on the platform

The Victorian Trades Hall Council organised a rally on Friday 6 March to mark the 98th International Women’s Day. The rally came a day after unionists and sacked Pacific Brands workers held a protest in Melbourne organised by the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union, and a TCFUA banner was prominent on the steps of the State Library.

On the steps of the State Library

One of the speakers was TCFUA Assistant Secretary Jenny Kruschel:

TCFUA Assistant Secretary Jenny Kruschel

Other speakers were Ann Taylor, Deputy Branch President of AEU and President of VTHC:

Ann Taylor, alongside the other main banner on the platform

and Angelina Ladera, from the National Executive of Kilusang Mayo Uno [KMU] Labour Centre in the Philippines:

Angelina Ladera

MC was Josie Parrelli:

Josie Parrelli

and the rally was organised by VTHC Women’s Officer Jennifer O’Donnell-Pirisi, seen here leading the cheering at the end, along with Josie Parrelli:

Jennifer and Josie lead the cheering

The Young Unionists’ Network was represented, along with several other unions – the ASU, and the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance can be seen here:

Young Unionists' Network, ASU, MEAA

Some placards in the crowd:

Placards in the crowd

There is a report of the rally, with photos, on the
VTHC website:

Protest at Pacific Brands sackings – 5 March March 8, 2009

Firefighters strip in protest

Firefighters stripped to their Bonds underwear outside the Myer store in the Bourke Street Mall on Thursday as part of a protest rally against the decision of Pacific Brands to sack 1850 workers while moving production overseas. This was the first of a series of rallies organised by the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union to demand a reversal of the company’s decision. In spite of repeated heavy showers some hundreds of workers from Pacific Brands factories along with members of other unions and supporters from the public heard a succession of speakers, including two of the sacked workers as well as Michele O’Neil, National Secretary of the TCFUA and Jeff Lawrence, Secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions. Michele O’Neil read out letters from the union to notable Australians Pat Rafter, Sarah Murdoch and Michael Clarke, all three ‘Bonds ambassadors’, calling on them to dissociate themselves from the company which they have helped to promote, and also a letter to the company from a shareholder outraged at what she saw as a betrayal.
There is video footage of the rally on YouTube:

and

For more on the campaign and issues, see:
www.MakeitHere.com.au

and:
http://www.tcfua.org.au/

Other reports:

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0903/S00066.htm
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/actu-launches-action-to-save-jobs-20090303-8n69.html
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25141687-5006301,00.html
http://www.theage.com.au/national/hundreds-rally-over-pacific-brands-job-cuts-20090305-8p05.html?page=-1
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25141687-661,00.html

Some of the sacked workers

Michele O'Neil addressing the rally

ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence

Bill Noonan, VIC/TAS Branch Secretary of Transport Workers Union

ETU members were among a range of unions represented