Thread by @sallymcmanus

Scott Morrison's anti-union "Ensuring Integrity" laws that are before the Senate would allow unions to be shut down if workers take unlawful industrial action. Here is an important reminder of all the things all Australian love & enjoy because of "unlawful" industrial action:

1. Medicare.

In 1976 the Liberals tried to destroy Medibank which was a precursor to Medicare. The ACTU @unionsaustralia called a general strike to defend it. We would not have Medicare today if it were not for this action.

2. Superannuation.

Building workers (now @CFMEU) took strike action to win super at a time most private sector workers did not have it. This was an important breakthrough that lead to universal superannuation.

3. The weekend.

Unions fought for shorter working hours by taking strike action since the 1850s. Eventually we won the eight hour day and then the five day working week.

4. Equal Pay for Women

Women (and men) have been striking for equal pay since World War 2, esp in the 1960s but the latest "unlawful actions" were by community workers in 2012 @asu_nsw_act & childcare workers @UnitedVoiceOz last year

5. The Rocks, Sydney's Botanical Gardens and Queen Victoria Markets in Melbourne

There would all have been destroyed (plus much more) if it weren't for @CFMEU building workers who took "unlawful" action by putting "Green bans" on them

6. Safety laws

Workers took and continue to take "unlawful" action to make workplaces safe. This has resulted in the workplace safety laws we now have and everyone is protected by.

7. Pay rises

Minimum wages which now apply to all workers were won by workers taking "unlawful" action. This includes rights to overtime pay and extra payments for working shifts.

8. Nurse/patient ratios

in 1986 nurses took a 50 day strike to first win safe staffing levels in Victoria. All "unlawful". This has radically improved patient care. @anmf_federal

9. School class size limits

The teachers unions have continually had to take
"unlawful" action to insist on limits on class sizes so children get a good education
@AEUfederal

10. Holidays

Printers @theamwu took "unlawful" action to win annual leave, followed by workers in other industries. Metal Industry workers stuck for leave loading. As a result, all permanent workers now have annual holidays and leave loading.

So Scott Morrison & Christian Porter now want to shut down unions and have their leaders sacked for doing what Australian workers and their unions have done to build our living standards. The right to join a union and the right to strike, must be protected.