Community Union Weekends Blog

Schedual Saturday 2nd!

communityunionweekends — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:07:35 +0000

Schedule for Saturday 2nd May

9:45am
Meet at City Baths corner Swanston and Franklin St, City Walking Tour of Green Ban sites in Melbourne
1 pm LUNCH: Picnic at Treasury Gardens
2pm – 4pm
Trades Hall. Corner Victoria and Lygon streets, Carlton Emerging workforces & shifting union membership

Panel discussion and open floor with contributions from:
Liz Thompson (Fairwear, VTDA)
Diana Beaumont (AAWL)
Anthony Main (UNITE)
Simon Miller (ETU apprentices campaign).

1) Are unions out of touch with sections of the workforce? What are the limitations of unions’ attempts to move beyond their traditional membership?

2) How can community organisations and unions work to close this gap?

3) What are some practical things your union can do to assist the campaign to end youth wages and to recruit members from non traditional memberships?

On Sunday 3rd Participants are encouraged to join in the May Day celebrations from 12:00 pm at Trades Hall, Victoria & Lygon St, Carlton.

Schedule Saturday 25th Morning

communityunionweekends — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:35:14 +0000

Schedule Saturday 25th Afternoon

communityunionweekends — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:32:51 +0000

communityunionweekends — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:31:01 +0000

Schedule Sunday 26th April: Climate Change

communityunionweekends — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:27:53 +0000

Registration

communityunionweekends — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 03:43:56 +0000

Welcome

communityunionweekends — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 23:01:59 +0000

Strategies for Union and Community Organising

Three weekends of reflection, relationship building, and future planning

April 17th & 19th, April 25th & 26th, May 2nd – 3rd

Contact: communityunionweekends@gmail.com | 0402 657 392

George Bush and John Howard are history, but right now the world is in turmoil. The financial crisis is affecting billions of jobs worldwide, and debilitating people’s capacities to live and work in a secure and sustainable way. Climate change catastrophe is upon us. And still wars rage and poverty kills.

These challenges can seem insurmountable. If even Barack Obama and Kevin Rudd drag their feet – or capitulate to big business – what can we do? Where are the campaigns, the organisations, and the movements we need to start turning this drastic situation around?

Over one weekend at the historic Camp Eureka near Warburton, and two weekends at the MUA, we will bring together young union organisers, students, environmental campaigners and social movement activists with veterans of the labour movement and the Left to discuss such questions.

Together we will evaluate past and existing campaigns and lay some foundations for new, practical solutions. From the Green Bans to the MUA, to Union Solidarity and WorkChoices, we will ask: What worked? What didn’t? How can we effectively respond to climate change and the economic crisis? How can we use the strength of our unions to make a better country – and a better world?

Australia has not seen an initiative like this for decades, and who knows what might come out of it? The possibilities are limitless. One thing is for sure: if you are serious about working for social change in this country, then these events are not to be missed. So give us a call today to find out how you or your organisation can get involved. We hope to see you at Camp Eureka!