Unions Warned Over I.R. Protests

"Some of Australia's biggest companies have sent letters to unions,
warning them against joining tomorrow's national day of protest
against the Federal Government's changes to industrial laws.

The rallies are being organised around the country by the
Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU)."

(snip)

"ACTU president Sharan Burrows says individual workers have also
received letters reminding them they could face fines or damages
payments if they take illegal strike action."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200511/s1505635.htm


It's going to take courage for many people to show up, but what
other choice is there? The more people there are, and the more
unions that are involved, I guess the harder it will be to
prosecute without Howard looking like the would-be dictator that
he is.

There wasn't an attempt to scare us off with fines or damages payments, but we were told that we weren't allowed to take any paid leave for it, and that it was considered to be strike action. And not five minutes after that, the union sent an email round telling us that tomorrow isn't defined as a strike because they're not directing us to strike, but to attend something on our own time, and that the govt had tried that tactic round a few large departments to try to persuade people not to attend. I got so annoyed at the cheap tactic to try to keep us at work that I'm making sure I definately go now, even if it is miles out of my way and I'll have to catch a bus...