Building power in the people - Anarchist Communists Meanjin

This week we talk to Nat from Anarchist Communists Meanjin about who ACM is, what they do, and their upcoming events (see previous post). We also talk about the need for a tenants union in Meanjin, and the first steps being taken to build one.

Wins and losses

This week we have no guest, but we have plenty of news of workers struggles, including First Nations workers protecting their country, Kangaroo Point being shut down, the ETU shutting down a worksite, and fighting going on in the US. We also have an extensive events section.

Events

Discussion Night: The Anarchist Critique of the State
Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 6:30 PM at Common House hosted by Anarcho Communists Meanjin One of the most well known (and misunderstood) tenets of anarchism is it's rejection of the State. But what is the State and why do anarchists seek to dismantle it rather than using it?

International Workers Memorial Day
Wednesday 28th April 11am @ Emma Miller Place Acknowledging the 17000 frontline health workers that have died globally during Covid and all workers who has died at work.

Speak Out Against the JobActive System
Join Anti-Poverty Network Qld Friday 30th April 5pm @ King George Square. They are speaking out against the abuses doled out to welfare recipients by the JobActive system. All the JobActive agencies (Sarina Russo, Max Employment etc.) and the system they benefit from must be abolished if we are to live with dignity and autonomy. APN-Qld are tired of their cruelty and corruption and demand the immediate dismantling of the mutual obligations system including the cashless welfare card, and an investigation into the abuses of the job agencies and Indue.

Blocking a construction site: Rally against unsustainable development and gentrification
Community responses to gentrification and poorly-planned profit-driven development are evolving. Frustrated residents are sick of their letters and submissions being ignored, and are turning to higher-impact tactics. On Saturday, 1 May, we’ll be blocking driveway access to a highrise construction site on Hope Street in South Brisbane. We’re doing this not only to protest that specific development, but because the developer – Aria – has proposed another 30-storey highrise on a site zoned for 12 storeys, which will overshadow Musgrave Park.

Songs of Working Life fundraiser with Phil Monsour
Saturday May 1st at ETU Building, Peel St South Brisbane All Proceeds to Refugees abandoned on Bridging Visas. Featuring a special selection of Bruce Springsteen songs and Phil's own Union and solidarity songs. Free album download with each booking. For more details head to Phil Monsour’s FB page

May Day Rallys
Brisbane Monday 3rd of May 10am start Contact your union There are many other rallies across the State over that weekend. Contact your union. If you cant make the rally 4ZZZ will take you there. We are hopeful to bring you coverage from the Brisbane rally. More info on next weeks Workers Power.

Public Meeting: The Housing Crisis is Here - QLD Needs a Tenants Union!
Saturday, 15 May 2021 1pm at Common House organised by Anarcho Communists Meanjin We are holding this public meeting as the first step towards establishing a renters and housing union for Meanjin (Brisbane), so that we can come together to discuss the issues we are facing in this city as renters and begin the fight back. All are welcome and we encourage participation from the community as we discuss how we can build the power of tenants and communities for the struggles ahead!

Disrupt Land Forces
Land Forces ’21 will run from 1-3 June at the Brisbane Convention Centre in South Brisbane. There will be a couple of killing conferences alongside a massive killing expo. All the major weapons companies will be there, alongside Australian Defence Force representatives, plus Defence Ministers and trade delegations from over 70 nations. www.distruptlandforces.org for more info

Songs of working life

This week we talk to musician and QTU member Phil Monsour about his upcoming Songs of Working Life gig that will be raising money to help the refugees who've been released from the prison. We also have the pleasure of announcing the formation of a new campaign to stop climate change, Blockade Australia.

The social responsibility of labour - The pigiron dispute and the BLF green bans

This week have have Greg Mallory from the Brisbane Labour History Association to talk about two moments in history when unions have taken strike action for something other than wages and conditions. You can find out more about these events in Greg's book, Uncharted Waters: Social Responsibility in Australian Trade Unions, and you can find the paper about the green bans in Queensland here, along with a bunch of other interesting papers. We also have an update directly from the Newry Native Forest Blockade, about what they're doing to protect the environment.