Introducing . . . Eureka Australian Workers Movement
Eureka Australian Workers Movement is a broad, outwardly-focussed organization concerned with the defence of people’s needs, particularly the needs of working class people, and encourages others to participate in the activities it organises.-
Our focus is on all workers. Workers in factories, transport, sales, IT, bank workers, office workers, scientific and research workers, and workers in professional activities, miners, rural workers, workers in child and aged care, education, health, welfare and other public services. Unemployed workers, injured workers, retired workers. We also focus on young people of working class background who are studying at school, college and university, We are concerned with workers who are immigrants, of all ethnic and religious backgrounds, even though they may not have Australian citizenship. We are concerned with workers who belong to the First Nations. All are welcome to be part of the Eureka Australian Workers Movement.
Our purpose
We act on the issues workers face in their daily lives, the needs of workers for life in the modern world. Workers need secure, well-paid jobs so they can plan their future. They need a healthy work environment, and a healthy, safe community environment when they go home from work. Access is needed to high quality health, education, transport and community services. Affordable housing is another basic need, as well as access to recreational and cultural facilities. We aim to lift the status of workers in society. Workers should not have to labour to produce the commodities and provide services and in return be treated as second class citizens. In our society, employers are given sacred rights, such as the right to hire and fire, yet the government has laws specifically against workers struggling for their needs. We recognise that the interests of workers and the ordinary people are different and often in conflict with the interests of employers
Our actions
Our aim is to organise rallies and campaigns to defend the basic needs of workers and the ordinary person.We aim to organise rallies in support of union campaigns around needs, such as the action of nurses in the defence of a quality health system. We also aim to organise campaigns and rallies in defence of other basic needs such as affordable housing, proper transport services etc. While we may rally at particular locations in the defence of people’s needs; we will also direct attention to the government which allows the denial of these needs. For example, demand that the government act to turn around the one-way flow of permanent or new jobs becoming casual or contract work.What is special about Eureka is that it is not just our organisation that takes action. Rather, we aim to encourage and mobilise people outside of our organisation to take part in the rallies and campaigns. It is important that people are mobilised in response to the problems that are affecting them. We emphasise collective action, people being together. Workers should not have to deal with problems on their own either at work or in their community. Far better if there is a collective response. We encourage workers to take action through trade unions and we encourage non-union members to look to other workers for support. We aim to back non-union members who are vulnerable at the hands of employers. Furthermore, we see that workers’ actions can be much more effective when they are supported by other sections of the community. We encourage others to be involved so that workers are not just on their own.Likewise, we encourage workers to respond to the problems of other sections of the community, such as small-scale farmers, shopkeepers, the self-employed and others who suffer at the hands of big business. The struggles of First Nations people for recognition and to maintain traditional rights and values are more effective when backed by workers and other sections of the community.
Recent campaigns
We have organised rallies of workers and community members outside local hospitals to demand the government take steps to overcome the health crisis and to support nurses’ strike action; we have organized rallies and petitions outside doctors surgeries to demand bulk billing for all at all medical centres; we have arranged rallies outside the big banks to protest the huge profit rip-off: and we have also supported the rail workers campaign in NSW -with petitions and leaflets –“their fight is our fight”.Will you help us to organise more actions?
International issues.
We think it important that Australian workers recognise their common interests with workers in other countries, and express solidarity when we learn of oppression. We recognise the leadership of the World Federation of Trade Unions. We also advocate world peace and oppose Australia’s involvement in wars waged by superpowers. These wars bring only suffering to workers and the general population.
Discussion meetings
From time-to-time Eureka Australian Workers Movement arranges presentations by guest speakers on topical issues. Recent discussions have included the Ukraine war, an analysis of the social system in China, the housing crisis, education, bullying, the mental health system, and the workers compensation system.
Social activities
As an organisation concerned with workers and their families, we conduct a range of social, cultural and recreational activities to help create an atmosphere of friendship and a sense of belonging. This is part of building a movement of workers and their families.
If you would like to participate on our activities, please email us at eureka.awm@gmail.com