Western Australia Union Group WA Australia

Are you a West Aussie Unionist / Your Rights At Work Activist?

If so, why not join this group - imaginatively titled 'Western Australia Union Group WA Australia' - so as to have the best chance of you getting a result when you type Western Australia or WA into the search tab.

My background is as a member of the SDA, an SDA Union Delegate, a YRAW Activist (Since July 2006) and now as an Occupational Safety and Health Advisor.

It turns out that my Uncle ran one of the last Shearer's Union teams in WA. Another Uncle was a long time Postal Worker Union also in WA, and an Aunt was a long time SDA Union Delegate in the A.C.T.

I collect WA and Australian OSH historical items, Union badges, and other worker -history items, so feel free to say G'day!

Cheers,

Bruce

CWU Eastern Region Learning Committee

A group for discussion, ideas, and all the usual kinds of stuff you don't need explained to you.

SIGTUR Education Network

The SIGTUR educators and educational resources network.

The objective of this network  is to build and share collective knowledge in the south.

 

Corruption

DO YOU KNOW OF CASES OF LABOUR CAMPAIGNS/MOVEMENTS THAT INVOLVE FIGHTING CORRUPTION? ARE YOU INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT OTHER INNOVATIVE, COURAGEOUS CIVIC ACTION CAMPAIGNS AND MOVEMENTS TO CURB CORRUPTION?  Please contact Shaazka Beyerle: sbeyerle(at)nonviolent-conflict.org.

 

I am conducting a one-year research project to document and study citizen participation and civic action to fight corruption, in order to distill general lessons learned and best practices. The focus is on what people--organized together, exerting their collective power--are doing to fight corruption as they themselves have discerned it. The project is examining the skills, strategies, objectives, and demands of nonviolent civic campaigns and movements, rather than the phenomenon of corruption itself, or the conditions under which it occurs. It's made possible by a grant from the United States Institute of Peace and support from the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict. . Please note that this announcement is NOT a call for proposals, papers or researchers.

 

See below for details, including research criteria and examples of civic action to fight corruption from around the world. One case is the “Facebook Revolution.” On April 6, 2008 one of the largest general strikes in years mobilized people around the country in solidarity with the planned strike of workers in El-Mahalla el-Kobra. The demands were increased wages for workers, a reduction of food prices, and against pervasive corruption. Known as the Facebook Revolution, it was organized by youth bloggers. The “April 6” Facebook group grew to 72,000 members, who used social networking technologies to communicate, strategize, plan and engage citizens.

 

 

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CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AND NONVIOLENT CIVIC ACTIONTO FIGHT CORRUPTION

CALL FOR INFORMATION/CASES FOR NEW RESEARCH PROJECT

 

Shaazka Beyerle, Senior Advisor

International Center on Nonviolent Conflict, Washington, DC

 

…And we noted that an empowered citizen is the best tool we have for fighting corruption… We must strive to reach and mobilise people from all quarters, and from all age groups.

“The Athens Agenda: Corruption and sustainable development,” Outcome of the 13^th International Anti-Corruption Conference, November 2, 2008.[i][1]

 

Corruption remains one of the greatest stumbling blocks to good governance, rule of law, social and economic development, and human rights. A 2004 report of the UN Secretary General’s High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change states that “corruption, illicit trade and money-laundering contribute to State weakness, impede economic growth and undermine democracy. These activities thus create a permissive environment for civil conflict.”[ii][2]

 

There is a growing awareness in the anti-corruption realm of the essential role that ordinary citizens can play in fighting corruption. Around the world, anti-corruption advocates and other civic actors are mobilizing the general public to use nonviolent strategies and tactics to improve accountability and transparency, and to enhance prospects for rule of law, labour rights, human rights, civil liberties, economic and social development, and peace. Civic action campaigns have also been found to reinforce “traditional” anti-corruption strategies and legislation, such as the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), and support those within government institutions attempting reforms and change.

 

However, many campaigns and movements are not known outside their immediate circles. Thus, their challenges, strategies, tactics, and general lessons learned are not circulated widely. Nor can others draw inspiration from the ingenuity, courage and resilience of those engaging in nonviolent civic action, who often face intimidation and repression.

 

KINDLY CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT:

 

Possible initiatives, campaigns or movements addressing corruption that included the mobilization of citizens and/or nonviolent civic action at the local or national level. Cases may have taken place in the last two decades or be presently ongoing. Corruption may be the sole focus, or it may be linked to other issues, such as labour rights,  poverty, violence, authoritarian rule, organized crime, discrimination, environmental destruction, state service provision, or other concerns.

Suggestions of other people, organizations to contact that could potentially have knowledge about cases or get the word out about the study;

Recommendations of networks through which others can be notified about the project, including e-newsletters, websites, virtual groups, social network sites, etc.

Reports, books or articles that refer to citizen initiatives and nonviolent civic action to fight corruption.

 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

 

This 12-month research project will:

 

·           Identify, document and analyze diverse cases from around the world of citizen participation and nonviolent civic action to fight corruption at the local or national level. Cases may have taken place in the last two decades or be presently ongoing. Corruption may be the sole focus, or it may be linked to other issues, such as labour rights, poverty, violence, authoritarian rule, organized crime, discrimination, environmental destruction, state service provision, or other concerns.

·           Distill from the cases general lessons learned and best practices. 

·           Develop a practical educational curriculum.

·           Collect the above in a book for publication, for use by the anti-corruption, human rights, and peacebuilding communities, and international development organizations.

 

The focus of this research is on the skills, strategies, objectives, and demands of nonviolent civic campaigns and movements, rather than the phenomenon of corruption itself, or the conditions under which it occurs. This project is made possible through a grant from the United States Institute of Peace and support from the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict.

 

EXAMPLES OF NONVIOLENT CIVIC ACTION TO FIGHT CORRUPTION

 

Armenia: Anti-corruption advocates, environmental activists, and youth groups are using humor, video, animation, and creative nonviolent street actions to protect the environment from illegal building and commercial development, protest against the violation of freedom of expression and other civic rights, and support political prisoners and victims of repression.

 

Columbia: Begun in 2006, OCASA (“truth” in the Chibcha indigenous language) uses the internet and social networking--including discussion fora, training, Facebook groups and databases--to educate and mobilize youth to fight corruption.

 

Egypt: On April 6, 2008 one of the largest general strikes in years mobilized people around the country in solidarity with the planned strike of workers in El-Mahalla el-Kobra. The demands were increased wages for workers, a reduction of food prices, and against pervasive corruption. Known as the Facebook Revolution, it was organized by youth bloggers. The “April 6” Facebook grew to 72,000 members, who used social networking technologies to communicate, strategize, plan and engage citizens.

 

Guatemala: A local citizen’s movement emerged in Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa in the aftermath of the civil war (1960-1996) to recover the community from the hands of drug lords and organized crime, prevent electoral fraud, maintain resilience in the face of violent repression, defend victories, and foster social and economic development.

 

India: Established in 2007, the “Fifth Pillar” targets bribery with innovative low-risk actions such as passing out “anti-corruption” zero-rupee notes, petitioning, and anti-bribery pledges.

 

Kuwait: In May 2006, a group of young men and women, communicating through text messages, launched the “Orange Movement” against political corruption. Their nonviolent tactics, including leafleting the parliament, enlisted public support and participation, resulted in early parliamentary elections in which legislation to change electoral districts (to prevent corruption) became a major campaign issue and was later adopted.

 

Philippines: Launched in 2003, an ongoing campaign to curb corruption in the elementary and secondary education system annually organizes about one million boy and girl scouts to count textbooks and conduct quality inspections.

 

Turkey: In 1997, the “One Minute of Darkness for Constant Light Campaign” mobilized approximately 30 million citizens in synchronized low-risk mass actions to pressure the government to take specific measures to combat corruption.

 

KEY CONCEPTS AND TERMS

 

Civic realm - collective non-state, bottom-up initiatives and relationships in a society.

This includes: nonviolent civic campaigns and movements; civil society organizations (CSOs); nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); civic coalitions and alliances; unions; professional organizations; grass-roots networks, committees, and collectives; local citizen groups; activists, community organizers, and citizens.

 

Civic power - power that comes from significant numbers of people organized together.

 

Nonviolent civic action - the expression of civic power through the use of nonviolent strategies and tactics. It is also called civil resistance, nonviolent struggle, and nonviolent conflict.

 

Nonviolent tactics – the methods of nonviolent civic action.

Scholars have identified over 200 nonviolent tactics, and most campaigns and movements create new ones. They include varieties of civil disobedience, noncooperation, protests, petitions, vigils, strikes, boycotts, monitoring of authorities and spending, social networking technologies, blogging, coordinated low-risk mass actions, displays of symbols, creation of independent institutions, social/economic empowerment initiatives, street theatre, songs, humor.

 

Civic power is wielded through the sustained, strategic application of a variety of nonviolent tactics that are designed to:

·           Strengthen citizen participation and campaign capacity;

·           Disrupt the status quo within systems of corruption;

·           Weaken the sources of support and control for unaccountable and corrupt powerholders; entities, systems, and their enablers; and/or

·           Win people over to the civic campaign or movement.

 

Civic campaigns and movements – emerge from the civic realm and include the participation of ordinary people united around common goals and demands.

 

Contact info: sbeyerle(at)nonviolent-conflict.org/1 202 416 4720 (phone messages)

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/liamstack/2415699015/in/set-72157604549592362/

 

 

Give Solidarity Message to TEKEL Workers

Workers of TEKEL, former monopoly holder for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products, have been protesting against the loss of personal employers rights in the course of privatization in Ankara for almost 42 days now. Tekel workers, who completed the 41st day of their protests yesterday, have been sleeping in -3 degree Celsius weather, pitching tents in front of Türk-İş (Worker Union) headquarters. They need to hear your voices (all over the wordl unions and workers) that solidarity with them. Please write your messages to this message board and then we serve them.

with  solidarity

Guelph and District Labour Council

A meeting place and information clearing house for the Guelph and District Labour Council.

Green Party Trade Union Group

A  Group for Trades Unionists and supporters within the Green Party.

Westrac Australia Workers Talk Their Agreement

The purpose of this web site is to enable communication and learning among Westrac workers about the collective bargaining process they are now engaged in. The site is available to both union and non union workers employed by Westrac and to all workers employed on wages, including those involved in non manual work at computers and in offices.

The site will enable communication between workers employed at opposite ends of the country and, provide information about the collective bargaining process:

• what the law enables - workers' rights and obligations;
• union proposals and approaches to key issues in the bargaining process;
• employer bargaining tactics;
• Westrac performance;
• competitor's agreements;
• any other topics that might arise during the bargaining process.

UnionResource.org

Unions, Activism, & Creative Arts

Cooperatives

A place for those involved and interested in the coop movement to share their experiences and expertise. 19th century throwback or 21st century solution? Membership is free and our on line AGM will be in the spring :)