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seandcSo, today was the big rally in protest of coming changes in industrial relations once the libs get power in both houses of parliament this July 1st.
I'm a member of the CSA/CPSU union (public service) - those from the East Perth buildings were meant to go in a big group, except by the time we got out of staff meeting, the main group had already left! Our lot took the short cut to the Perth Cultural Centre (the State Library, Art Gallery and Museum form an area between them that is used for various gatherings/rallies, with an amphitheatre biult in to the end of a street), and made it while people were still filing in. And file in they did! S rang her fiancee, and he was stuck in James St.
Just after the start (at midday), they announced some 11000 people were present - later news reports would go up to 20000. Good reactions to the speakers, but the biggest one was for Premier Gallop. Normally Geoff and the unions see anything but eye-to-eye (usually they're fighting tooth-and-claw), but in this case, he's with us. Heck, he gave us public servants permission to come down without losing pay. Natuarally, the coalition supporting (The Liberal-National Coalition is the party in power Federally, they're the ones forcing through these changes. The State government is Labor) West Australian newspaper was having purple screaming fits about the money being used by the evil evil public servants in a political stunt. But so what? We're all evil demons according to that paper (the only state-based daily here) - public servants can't do anything right in their eyes. If Superman had been a WA Public Servant during Doomsday, the headlines wouldn't have been about the Man of Steel's death, it would've been about his being punched through houses during the fight. Plus even if it is a stunt by Geoffy? I bet there wouldn't be any of this jumping up and down if it was in support of the (federal) government.
And the loudest cheer? I mean loud - the few of us that had found each other in the crowd (too crowded to get to the CSA banners) were on the grassed area outside State Library by a bunch from the CFMEU (the main construction union, and textbook union target for those who like to target unions) - they obviously have practice in cheering - LOUD!!
Then the march. Starting just after 1pm, a little run from the Cultural Centre down William Street across the Horseshoe Bridge (over the main rail lines, Perth Station west), down to Murray Street (cheered at that corner by State pollies), along the pedestrian mall, and back up Barrack/Beaufort Street over the little bridge on the east side of Perth Station and back to start. Not so long, but a bit slow, having to go in babysteps sometimes to avoid walking into peoplemore. According to the newschoppers watching, the end of the march had just taken off when the head of the march arrived back. From our place in the march I couldn't see start nor finish when given the vantage point of the Horseshoe Bridge. The threatening rain had since cleared off, and the march took place in sunshine and blue skies - CSA have the most colourful banners. :lol: I'm glad they took the Murray Street mall instead of Hay Street. With Forrest Chase adjoining, flyover walkways and the old Post Office building, it's a lot more visually interesting, and feels more open. I was thankful for that - all the small-steps were taking their toll - if we hadn't been moving at all I'd have really been feeling the crowd.
The march over, there were to be more speakers addresses, but I must admit that S and I (having lost everyone else) decided to head back to work - the rest of the march had yet to arrive, and it was already 2pm (the advertised endtime, plus bosslady had been alone covering the desk over 2 1/2 hours now). Time to wander off to get some lunch and walk back. I could've waited for the train, but a-walking is faster and b-I needed the space around me.
I'm a member of the CSA/CPSU union (public service) - those from the East Perth buildings were meant to go in a big group, except by the time we got out of staff meeting, the main group had already left! Our lot took the short cut to the Perth Cultural Centre (the State Library, Art Gallery and Museum form an area between them that is used for various gatherings/rallies, with an amphitheatre biult in to the end of a street), and made it while people were still filing in. And file in they did! S rang her fiancee, and he was stuck in James St.
Just after the start (at midday), they announced some 11000 people were present - later news reports would go up to 20000. Good reactions to the speakers, but the biggest one was for Premier Gallop. Normally Geoff and the unions see anything but eye-to-eye (usually they're fighting tooth-and-claw), but in this case, he's with us. Heck, he gave us public servants permission to come down without losing pay. Natuarally, the coalition supporting (The Liberal-National Coalition is the party in power Federally, they're the ones forcing through these changes. The State government is Labor) West Australian newspaper was having purple screaming fits about the money being used by the evil evil public servants in a political stunt. But so what? We're all evil demons according to that paper (the only state-based daily here) - public servants can't do anything right in their eyes. If Superman had been a WA Public Servant during Doomsday, the headlines wouldn't have been about the Man of Steel's death, it would've been about his being punched through houses during the fight. Plus even if it is a stunt by Geoffy? I bet there wouldn't be any of this jumping up and down if it was in support of the (federal) government.
And the loudest cheer? I mean loud - the few of us that had found each other in the crowd (too crowded to get to the CSA banners) were on the grassed area outside State Library by a bunch from the CFMEU (the main construction union, and textbook union target for those who like to target unions) - they obviously have practice in cheering - LOUD!!
Then the march. Starting just after 1pm, a little run from the Cultural Centre down William Street across the Horseshoe Bridge (over the main rail lines, Perth Station west), down to Murray Street (cheered at that corner by State pollies), along the pedestrian mall, and back up Barrack/Beaufort Street over the little bridge on the east side of Perth Station and back to start. Not so long, but a bit slow, having to go in babysteps sometimes to avoid walking into people
The march over, there were to be more speakers addresses, but I must admit that S and I (having lost everyone else) decided to head back to work - the rest of the march had yet to arrive, and it was already 2pm (the advertised endtime, plus bosslady had been alone covering the desk over 2 1/2 hours now). Time to wander off to get some lunch and walk back. I could've waited for the train, but a-walking is faster and b-I needed the space around me.
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no subject
Date: 2005-06-30 05:31 pm (UTC)At least now I can act all high and mighty to people and tell them "Don't blame me, I voted Labor".
Gosh, I am such a nerd. I have the novelization of the Death of Superman comic. Suprisingly a good read considering novelizations tend to be pretty basic.
no subject
Date: 2005-06-30 08:07 pm (UTC)"Hell, no! We won't go!"
(what are we protesting against, again?)
no subject
Date: 2005-07-01 02:50 pm (UTC)"What do we want? -Howard out! (muttered voice: A sandwich!) -When do we want it? -Now!" :lol:
The protest was about changes the PM has been waiting to make to Industrial Relations since the 70s, only now his party has the power to put any legislation it wants through. Basically, the changes make things much much easier for business, and most protections for workers are removed, especially collective bargaining. The awards still exist, but now employers can say "negotiate/sign an individual employment contract, or you won't start here". They say they can't force anyone to switch over, but funny that's exactly what happened to the people who are meant to police this...
In very broad terms.
no subject
Date: 2005-07-01 02:22 pm (UTC)Just make sure you don't get on the wrong side of some Coalition voter when you do the high and mighty thing (well, more than necessary) ;)
I tend to avoid novelisations myself - I was disappointed in the past, so I don't really look for them. Novels that were turned into films are a different matter :) (if I could only remember where my copy of The Princess Bride went)
no subject
Date: 2005-07-01 04:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-01 01:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-01 02:59 pm (UTC)The area I felt it most was where we were all forced through a bottleneck of benches and restaurant tables in the Murray Street mall. That part was all slowdown, dodging of a pram, and babysteps just to keep moving. Maybe it helps that everyone was going the same way, with purpose. Not just floating any old way with no purpose, like most days...