Comrades,
Just got back from today's general strike (Victoria) and demonstration in support of the wharfies and against Reith's Workplace Relations Act. The mood was tremendous - people are clearly claiming what has happened in the courts so far as a victory, even if the fight is not over.
As always there is a dispute about the numbers. Have no idea about strike figures yet, but the demonstration was one of the bigger, if not the biggest, in Victoria's history. The latest estimate I heard was 150,000 in Melbourne alone. By the way, Packer's channel 9 Sky News reported 25,000-30,000 which was completely ludicrous - the demo was easily bigger than a MCG grand final crowd (100,000)
New court action is occurring in the Federal Court today for contempt by Patricks, because despite the Federal court orders, Patricks have still got their nazi security and dogs on the wharves. Wharfies are expected to march through the gates this afternoon some time.
Yesterday picketers removed the last of the barricades in front of the gates, and have promised to clear all the piled up containers in 3 days. However they are working for free at least until the 25th May. There remains an underlying weakness in the unions position of agreement with productivity improvements and possibly the necessity for redundancies. Howard, Reith and the Liberals should be slaughtered over this dispute, but a lack of political clarity may yet see them salavage something for the ruling class.
But Reith and Howard face a number of ongoing problems. The scandal over the Dubai mercenary scheme and Reith's involvement continues to grow by the day. Reith continues to deny any knowledge, but this Friday documents will be released which are promised categorically show that he did.
If the ALP has any brains at all then they will milk these scandals all the way to the next election and you would have to think that the Liberals must lose. But unwinnable elections have been won before - there is no substitute for working class power - even a small demonstration of it is enough to scare the ruling class shitless. Our power needs to be built on until the present economic system is overthrown. Easier said than done! Still we're up at the moment and....... how does that slogan go?.... "Be reasonable, demand the impossible!"
YFTR,
Tony Hartin
