MELBOURNE SHORTER WORK WEEK ACTION COMMITTEE
Meeting on 8th June launches shorter work week campaign
Union, progressive parties, community organisations and shorter work week supporters in Melbourne discussed the formation of a shorter work week action committee in Victoria at a meeting at the Electrical Trades Union Building in Carlton Sth.
John Tully, co-editor of ‘Progressive Labour’,called for broadest the possible support, stated a 35 hour week has been official ACTU policy since 1957 but left to individual unions, left wing organisations and community groups to keep the issue alive. He contrasted this with the post war years when ACTU President Albert Monk declared “we will get the 40 hour week by hook or by crook” and ALP governments legislated for reduced hours without loss of pay. He said a broad committee is urgently needed to organise around the question of reduced hours without loss of pay.
When Howard/Reith conspire to overthrow enterprise deals that deliver reduced hours without loss of pay, and want to stop unions running enterprise campaigns simultaneously (see story below) it’s time for a broad campaign that puts fundamentals back on the agenda.
For further details contact J Tully (03-9314 0559), or email us if you would like to get involved in establishing a branch or receiving SWWAC material to distribute