Thousands of trade unionists, mainly blue-collar workers, went on strike and rallied against WorkChoices on September 26 in Melbourne. The rally was called by the building industry group (BIG) of unions within Victorian Trades Hall.

As usual, the media played down the size of the march, claiming 15,000 rallied. But according to Victorian Trades Hall Council, 35,000 joined the march.

The demonstration was also addressed by VTHC Secretary Brian Boyd and ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence. In a fantastic display of defiance, unionists assembled at Trades Hall and marched through the city chanting, "The workers united, will never be defeated".

Predictably, Minister for WorkChoices, Joe Hockey, rubbished the rally saying, "If they were seriously stirred up…you'd have 100,000 people on the streets."

But trade unionist and Indigenous activist Greg Fryer told Socialist Worker: "Joe Hockey said the rally lacked in numbers but I'm sure more people would have turned up if we didn't have such repressive laws.

"Workers are intimidated and are punished for having an opinion let alone voicing that opinion. It was a good turn out and it was great to see such a variety of unions represented, families and community members."

University staff union (NTEU) organiser Steve Horton said: "Overall the rally was uplifting. We had a NTEU contingent with members from across the universities, including a speaker on the main platform."

Young Unionists Network Coordinator Danielle Archer told Socialist Worker: "The rally highlighted the concerns of young workers regarding WorkChoices. Two young unionists spoke from the platform."

The rally also raised important criticisms of Labor's industrial relations policy. "I believe there is sill a lot of unknown policies and a bit more clarity would be great," argued Steve Horton.

But Greg Fryer was much more explicit in his criticism. "I don't have much faith in Labor's policies. They are only moving on a few aspects of the laws. And after seeing them sign off on the invasion of the Northern Territory I don't think they can be trusted."

Clare Gleghorn, a member of the media and arts union (MEAA) said: "Little of the substance of the�IR legislation will change. I think there is little distinction now between the two major parties and it's up to us,�regardless of which party�you vote for, to put pressure on the government and opposition to�disclose the full details of their plans and allow them to be scrutinised openly and debated publicly."

The way forward

The rally was called in the context of an ongoing debate in the union movement about Labor's policy betrayals. The ACTU unfortunately resisted all calls to make September 26 a national day of action, in the conservative belief that this would undermine Labor's election strategy.

But the announcement of Labor's "Forward with Fairness" policy sent waves of anger and despair through the movement.

If elected, Labor has promised to continue with a virtual ban on strike action and on the right of unions to enter workplaces. Many unionists are rightly pointing out that unions cannot fairly operate under these unfair and restrictive measures and that Labor has betrayed the movement.

This rally sends an important message of defiance. We now need more rallies and strike action to beat these laws. Actions like these increase our chances of smashing the Howard government.

According to Steve Horton, "The bastards have it coming. After the attacks on our jobs and conditions and for all those who have already lost their jobs it would be poetic justice for them to lose".

And Greg Fryer argued, "They're up shit creek. People have had enough."

Reports by Daniella Olea, Judy McVey and Tom Orsag