"Union is Strength"

Labor History Weekend

Sat. 3rd to Sun. 4th August 1996

Entry: $7 for employed, $3 for students and free for unemployed

St Stephen's Hall, 189 Church St Newtown, Sydney
Organised by The Red & Black Forum
(02) 550 9931, (02) 519 8947

Conference Programme
SATURDAY, 3rd August.
11:30am: The Industrial Workers of the World In Australia.
Speakers:
Peter Sheldon, a Labour historian from Griffith Uni,Qld;
Ian Bedford from Macquarie Uni. who has written a major monograph on the I.W.W.
Michael Matteson one time Sydney draft resister, who will talk about overseas Syndicalist influences on the I.W.W.


1:15pm: Lunch and Launch of a new book recently published by Jura Media: An Introduction to the Life and Ideas of Peter Kropotkin, by Graham Purchase


2.15pm: Balmain Ironworkers struggles of 1942 to 1947
Speakers:
Laurie Short One of the leaders and later General Secretary of the Ironworkers Union
Daphne Gollan, Eyewitness and later a historian of the struggle, being questioned by:
Hall Greenland, who is completing his biography of Nick Origlass.

4.00pm: Afternoon Tea.


4.15pm The History of the Australian Industrial Relations System, in the context of the current attempts of Howard, Reith and the Liberals to alter it for the worse.
Speakers:Jim Macken Former NSW Industrial Commissioner, union official and author.
Jenny Haines Secretary of the Prince Alfred Branch of the Nurses Association.
Sid Parissi Syndicalist and CEPU Delegate
Igor NossarIndustrial Advocate
Jeff Shaw Minister for Industrial Relations and Attorney General in NSW.


SUNDAY, 4th August.
11.30 am: History of the AWU and Struggles in the Mining Industry such as Mt. Isa.
Speakers:
Mark Hearn Author of the new of the AWU
Betty Collins Author of the Copper Crucible, a novel about 60's Mt. Isa strikes, just reprinted
Pat Mackie Famous rank and file leader of the Mt.Isa miners in the 1960's

1.15pm: Lunch.


2.15pm: Past & Present Waterfront Disputes.
Speakers:
Rowan Cahill Author of the History of the Seamen's Union, will speak on Australian Seamen and the 1951 New Zealand dispute
Tas Bull Former General Secretary the WWF on the Hursey dispute, the 1956 strike and the permanency dispute
Ina Heidtman Long time Office Manager of the NSW central branch of the MUA, will speak on the desperate struggle of the Liverpool UK dockers to preserve unionism and the recent international conference of maritime workers in support of their struggle, which she attended
Vic Slater Joint Assistant Federal Secretary of the Maritime Union, on the current struggle with the Federal Government in defence of the basic rights of maritime workers.


4.15pm: Current Problems Facing the Trade Union Movement, including structural problems and the attacks by the Liberal Government.
Speakers:
Steve Hutchins Secretary of the NSW Branch of the Transport Workers, and ALP Vice President;
Clyde Cameron Former AWU official and Minister for Labor in the Whitlam government;
Jack Mundey Former Secretary of the BLF, and now President of the Historic Houses Trust;
Mark McGuire Editor of Rebel Worker, and delegate in the CPSU;
Gail Gregory Industrial Officer with the Labor Council of NSW
Gavin Hillier NSW Secretary of the Forestry Division of the CFMEU.