Trade unions push for treaty

Date: 06 December 2000

At the Melbourne Reconciliation Walk on Sunday,
trade unionists said sorry and demanded a treaty.
Organisers of the trade union contribution to the walk, say reconciliation doesn't end with a stroll down St Kilda Road

Trade unionists had a strong presence at the Melbourne walk for reconciliation on December 3, with many thousands joining the 350,000 Victorians who took to the streets.

People began gathering before 8am at Flinders Street Station and the walk began with Aboriginal dancers and fireworks. For the next four hours, St Kilda Road was packed. At the end of the walk, the queues to sign petitions and contribute a personalised coloured "hand" for the Sea of Hands, were longer than queues for the food stands.
"It was one of the largest marches ever seen in Melbourne," said Ellen Kleimaker, Victorian Trades Hall Council Women's and Equity Officer. "For every person on the street, there were three at home who for various reasons were not able to make it. Unions were proud to join the Melbourne walk for reconciliation which we consider to be one more step towards a treaty."

The links between trade unions and indigenous people go back to early last century. While more recently, unions have united with indigenous people over land rights and have resisted attacks on native title, trade unionists like other Australians, have plenty of reasons to say "sorry" for past wrongs.
In some cases, it was agreements struck by unions which maintained wage differentials between indigenous and white people - and unions supported the "White Australia Policy" in the early 1900s which was designed to protect white Australians' work.

However, over time, trade unionists have gained an understanding of the importance of a treaty and have come to recognise the need to stand united with indigenous people to end racism.

"Unions want to play a positive role in reconciliation and we believe a treaty which acknowledges the needs for self-determination has the potential to right the wrongs. As unionists, we understand how certain powerful groups benefit from the division of workers; women against men; Anglo-Australians against migrants and indigenous people against non-indigenous people.
"Trade unions will support indigenous people in their struggle for self-determination in the form of a treaty. In the meantime, we support properly funded programs to improve health and employment opportunities when they are controlled by and focus on indigenous people."

For further information

Contact:	Amanda Tattam
Union:	Victorian Trades Hall Council - OHS Unit
Phone:	03 9659 3576
Email:	atattam@vthc.org.au
WWW:	http://www.vthc.org.au

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