Subject: Re: Outworkers
From: pmargin-AT-xchange.apana.org.au (Profit Margin)
Date: Sat, 29 Jun 96 07:52:40 AEDT


Path: xchange!news
From: peter%barricad-AT-xchange.apana.org.au
Newsgroups: mail.iww
Subject: Outworkers
Message-ID: <sL97PD3w165w-AT-barricad>
Date: 27 Jun 1996 13:16:50
Sender: news-AT-xchange.apana.org.au
Reply-To: Conference "iww.news" <iww-news-AT-igc.apc.org>

IWW Melbourne members joined the protest organised by the Textile, 
Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia - Victoria (132 Leicester Street, 
Carlton 3053 Tel (03) 9347 3377) outside Westco shop in the Bourke Street 
Mall in the City of Melbourne. Wearing shirst made by an outworker who 
has to date not been paid they protested that the same shirts were 
selling inside for $39.95 each. She was to have been paid a $1 each which 
is outrageous enough but the sub contracting company (untraceable) 
operating for Westco has not paid her at all! Leafletting and a speak out 
against the new sweatshop industry home based caused many passersby to 
stop and be educated. From their leaflet:
The labour Behind the Label.
We all go shopping for clothes. We spend billions of dollars each year on 
clothes in Australia. We consider what they look like, how much they 
cost, and how they fit. This is usually the basis on what we choose to 
buy. Often we do not have any idea where they are made or how they are 
made. The label tells us, country of origin, size, washing instructions 
and type of material used. In Australia and othjer countries around the 
world women working at sewing machines produce the clothes that stock our 
shops. The work environment varies a lot. They may be made in modern 
factories and paid award wages. But often they are made in small cramped 
sweatshops or in a room or garage at home for low wages. We aim to assist 
workers in the clothing industry especially outworkers to have the right 
to a living wage, the right to organise, and a safe and healthy working 
environment. This does not mean that clothes need to be more expensive 
since wages are as little as 5% of the final price.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
You as consumers have the power to encourage retailers to sell garments 
made under acceptable working conditions in Australia. When you go 
shopping ask questions about where the clothes are made and under what 
conditions. Write lteers to retailers and manufacturers expressing your 
concern and requesting further information. The TC&FUofA is trying to 
inform outworkers of their rights and assist them to get them.
You can assist by asking retailers to enter tinto ethical agreements with 
the Union. Insist that stores sell goods with a guarantee that garments 
are not made by exploited labour. Suggest a sewn in label to inform 
consumers that the clothes are exploitation free or union made.

Meanwhile the 20 week long strike by members of the breakaway (from the 
AUstralia Workers Union tamecat)Shearers and Rural Workers Union down in 
Geelong at the wool scourers plant owned by EP Robinson continues.
Crossback News PO Box 2144, Shepparton, Victoria, 3630 covers news of the 
struggle to organise amongst fruitpickers (LAST TIME SEASONAL WORKERS 
WERE REALLY ORGANISED WAS BY THE PRE WWI IWW!) 
There are lso ongoing protests like the long running opposition to sell 
of TELSTRA the telecommuinications corporation which will mean job 
losses, timed local calls etc. Later the same day as a protest takes 
place outside the Savoy Hote where those who want to buy into the Billion 
dollar Corp are eating $900 plates of food there will be a march calling 
for an independent inquiry into the Victorian Police (not just corruption 
but police violence especially the heavy mob who specialise in busting 
pickets, evictions etc) marching to Police HQ.
Coming next month is the 6oth anniversary of the Spanish Revolution July 
191936/96 and there is a social/talk/meal organised by the Spanish and 
supportive community. What if anything are you doing locally for this 
anniversary?
Peter for Melbin IWW group


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