By Kim Linden
MELBOURNE — On March 22, child protection workers and their supporters in the state public service struck for 24 hours and held one of the most spirited rallies since the big anti-Kennett demonstrations in 1992.
The action was part of a several-month struggle by members of the State Public Service Federation of Victoria (SPSF) against individual contracts and for an 11.4% wage rise.
The 5000-strong rally was initiated by Trades Hall Council in solidarity with more than 2000 striking child protection workers from the Department of Health and Community Services (DHCS). The workers walked off the job on March 8 after the department stood down staff who had imposed bans for the pay claim and in opposition to the government's push for individual contracts. This strike is now the longest running since the Kennett government was elected.
The Australian Services Union, the construction section of the CFMEU, the Australian Education Union and the firefighters have taken actions in solidarity with the striking child protection workers.
The March 22 action, dubbed "Let the Umpire Decide", (i.e. the Victorian Employee Relations Commission), was announced after the state government repeatedly refused to consent to the wage claim being arbitrated by the VERC.
Katherine Hayes from Specialist Children's Services in Dandenong told the rally that it is a civil right and liberty to have the matter heard by arbitration. SPSF state secretary Karen Batt said the child protection workers will "go back to work when there is a process to deal with the claim". Tim Pallas of the ACTU also spoke of the need to go to arbitration.
It can be dangerous to believe that arbitration will make a real difference for workers. The arbitrators are, after all, appointed by the government, and the arbitration system has yet to prevent Kennett from successfully attacking many workers' rights and conditions in Victoria. Nevertheless, by refusing workers the opportunity to have their case heard, the government is withdrawing a basic democratic right in the eyes of many workers.
The protesters marched from Treasury Gardens to Parliament House, loudly chanting demands for arbitration before proceeding through the city to the offices of the DHCS. That afternoon, the workers held a mass meeting at Trades Hall, where they voted to stay on strike till March 29.
Kennett is vowing never to give in to the "militant demands" of the workers. With their decision to stay out on strike, the child protection workers have become not only a major thorn into Kennett's side, but an inspiration and example to workers across the state who want to fight the Kennett government's attacks and win.