Call to Action – May Day 2018

Bulletin: 24/18

To all: Sydney Trains Infrastructure Members

May Day has its origin in the 8 hour movement which advocated 8 hours for work, 8 hours for recreation and 8 hours for rest.

On the 21^st of April 1856, stonemasons in Melbourne downed tools and walked off the job in protest to the bosses’ refusal to accept their demands for reduced working hours.

The achievements of the 8 hour movement have been described as;

“One of the great successes of the Australian working class during the 19^th century, demonstrating to Australian workers that it was possible to successfully organise , mobilise, agitate and exercise significant control over working conditions and quality of life. The Australian trade union movement grew out of the 8 hour campaign.”  – Historian: Rowan Cahill

As infrastructure workers in Sydney Trains we have a similar history of standing up, fighting for better pay and conditions in the rail industry and have proven to be staunch defenders of our rights at work.

The recent Fair Work Commission (FWC) decision to halt Sydney Trains RTBU members from striking is a clear sign that the industrial laws of this country are broken and our democratic rights are being stripped away. Workers are once again facing the same threats our forefathers faced to make Australia a better and fairer place for all working men and women.

On May Day this year, Sunday, 6^th May 2018, we need ALL members and their families to show the government and this incompetent transport minister that we will not be silenced about our rights, our children’s rights and the rights of future generations just as those stonemasons in Melbourne did for us 162 years ago.

CONTACT YOUR DIVISIONAL ORGANISERS TO REGISTER YOUR ATTENDACE ON THE BELOW DETAILS:

Luke Hayden                                                                     Jonathan Parker

Email: lhayden@rtbu-nsw.asn.au                                Email: infrastructure@rtbu-nsw.asn.au

Mobile: 0499 710 707                                                      Mobile: 0418 166 742 

All members are to meet at 10:30am in front of the RTBU Office, 321 Pitt Street, SYDNEY so we can march to Hyde Park together.

JOIN US ON MAY DAY AND STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH YOUR RTBU BROTHERS AND SISTERS!