WL Aus 35

The Barbarian Invasions

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The Barbarian Invasions is an intelligent, curious and complex film which revolves around two emotional and social poles.

Set in Montreal, it explores the last days of a 50-something history lecturer, a civilized and self indulgent womaniser, a self professed "sensual socialist" who is dying of cancer. Directed by Denys Arcand, who made The Decline of the American Empire (1986) and Jesus of Montreal (1989), the film meticulously reveals the life and times of Remy.

Sydney forum on Iraq

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Report by Janet Burstall

The Occupation combined with lack of general lack of security in civil society are central problems facing Iraqi women and workers, according to Iraqi speakers at a forum in Sydney on 20 March.

Eyewitness: Iraq's new trade unions

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Ewa Jasiewicz spent eight months in Iraq, mainly in Baghdad and Basra, working for Occupation Watch. She worked with the trade union movement in Basra, especially the Southern Oil Company Union. From Basra she used to post regular reports at the anarchist website infoshop, and via other web resources (for example, Voices in the Wilderness), about workers' struggles in Iraq. Clive Bradley talked to her.

Australian Socialist Alliance: a balance sheet

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By Riki Lane and Janet Burstall

The Socialist Alliance (SA) began as an electoral alliance in early 2001 and has developed work in other areas, especially trade unions and anti-war campaigning. In local areas specific campaigns have also been taken up. Membership has grown, but the active membership core has not grown in proportion. The Alliance is changing as an organisation too, with a publication program, and organisational structures to include the affiliates and non-aligned members in Alliance decision making.

Women's peace march: West Bank and Israel

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By Janet Burstall

Palestinian, Israeli, Jewish and international women marched for peace through Israel and the West Bank in January 2004.

Sydney activist Vivienne Porzsolt from Jews Against the Occupation was the only Australian on the march. She presented a slide show and spoke about the march at a meeting in Sydney on 22 April.

Victorian times under Bracks

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By Bryan Sketchley

If any Victorian trade unionist had an inkling that Bracks and the state ALP would deliver up a half way decent deal for workers, they would, by now be sadly disappointed.

With the current round of enterprise bargaining recently concluded for public servants some unionists have been heard to say that 'at least under Kennett you could expect to get a kicking, and prepare accordingly.' The deal stitched up between CPSU officials and the government has seen pay outcomes that will stay marginally ahead of inflation and a handful of minor improvements in conditions. Every pissant condition wrung out of the government was akin to squeezing blood from a stone, the wage component is dependant on there being no significant interest rate rises over the next 43 months, that will potentially blow away any tiny gain that has been won.

Boss watch

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By Lynn Smith

CULTURE OF VIOLENCE AT COKE

Determined to make his point at Coca-Cola's AGM in Wilmington Delaware a few weeks ago, Ray Rogers of New York's "Corporate Campaign" took the microphone.

When chairman and chief executive Doug Daft had had enough of this he told Rogers "you have exceeded your speaking time". Rogers refused to relinquish the mic, security guards moved in and surrounded him, a scuffle began and Rogers fell to the floor.

15 years since the Cockatoo Island occupation

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From a speech by Claude Sandaljian at a meeting sponsored by Solidarity, Socialist Democracy and the Workers League on 24 April 2004.


Claude Sandaljian worked as a boilermaker at Cockatoo Island Dockyard (in Sydney Harbour) for 17 years. At the time of the occupation he was the Convenor of the Amalgamated Metal Workers Union (AMWU) and Chairman of the Cockatoo Island Shop Committee, which represented all the workers on the island.