By Christine de Kock
TEACHERS from Footscray City College were among the thousands of protesters who attended the industrial relations rally at the MCG on Thursday.
The Howard Government introduced the WorkChoices legislation in March and critics say it puts workers benefits and entitlements at risk.
However, the Government says the new legislation was developed for a modern work place and for a “flexible labour market, allowing economic growth and employment opportunities”.
Mary Bluett, the Australian Education Union’s Victorian branch president, urged teachers to attend the protest, expecting about 30,000 members to heed the call.
“(It) is about fighting for the rights of our students, the most vulnerable people in the workforce, facing a working life of lower wages and longer hours,” she said.
Footscray City College principal Carolyn Woodhouse said staff at the school were great supporters of the union.
“And they believe very strongly in trying to make the conditions the best possible for the teachers and therefore students in the state,” she said.
She said 74 of the school’s 79 teachers took part in the industrial action.
“I’ve got to be careful not to be too political because of my position,” she said.
“But if there are industrial laws that don’t adequately protect everyone in terms of work, then I think everyone is going to be affected by that, including those young people entering the workforce who may not be as experienced in negotiating their own workplace agreement.”
The college made provision for students who had no alternative but to attend school on Thursday.
There were a number of speakers on the day and Jimmy Barnes performed his hit Working Class Man.
In Parliament last Tuesday Prime Minister John Howard criticised the teachers for taking part in the protest.
“Instead of attending a rock concert at the Melbourne Cricket Ground … these teachers should be in their classrooms,” he said.
“They should be doing what they are paid to do – that is to teach the children of Victoria.”
The Australian Council of Trade Unions estimated about 60,000 people were at the MCG for the protest but others said the figure was closer to 40,000.
It was one of a number of protests that took place around the country.
Maribyrnong City councillor Janis Rossiter also attended the protest.
She said it was important that people of her generation defended workplace rights.
“I remember my generation of women … there was no such thing as annual leave,” she said.
“I think it is important that Australian workers stand up for their rights.
“If we do not stand up for them then we are going to fall into a Third World country.”
