The right to withdraw labour is the one thing that distinguishes a free worker from a slave.This is a fundamental freedom.’

Currently the only guarantee from our governments, federal and state, is that rank and file teachers, like other workers, will continue to be treated like mushrooms. This is already clearly demonstrated by the treatment of police in their enterprise bargaining negotiations. While the Victorian state government purports to oppose the federal government’s ‘Work Choices’ it is using it effectively to prevent these workers getting a reasonable wage increase and negotiating their conditions. If the state ALP government was serious in its opposition to the federal legislation it could mount an effective campaign of broad opposition. Rather it has chosen to use the legislation to achieve its own political and industrial ends. However we know that to do otherwise would raise the political heat prior to the national election and thereby clearly challenge the ‘me-too-ism’ of the ALP’s federal election campaign. In this regard the ALP everywhere is in deed already acting in coalition with the Business Council and its parliamentary counterparts.

Business and their governments fear the strength of organised workers. The Business Council of Australia and the chambers of commerce are beating the rhythm along with the Coalition. The focus of attention on Howard as figurehead is to seriously misunderstand what is at stake for working people and families. While the ALP has, arguably, proposed some improvements to the current legislation under its alternative ‘Fair Work Australia’, there is fundamentally no substantive distinction between these two parliamentary parties. This lack of distinction is evident by comparing the Coalition’s and the ALP’s position on the right to strike. While they have not banned it outright they have created such a protracted and convoluted process that it has, in effect, just this result.

The right to strike is an essential element of any society that purports to be a democracy that values common decency and freedom. If a democracy is to be more than a word or a rhetorical flourish, workers must be allowed the freedom of association to organise and bargain on their wages and working conditions. What happens at work impacts on every aspect of our life. Men and women who are treated badly in their workplaces often take it out on those closest to them at home. ‘Work Choices’ is ultimately about limiting life choices for the vast majority. As we well know, we often have to deal first hand with the consequences of the stresses and strains imposed on students and their working families.

Now more then ever we need a union that has the capacity to patiently listen, support, and act independently on the concerns of its members, and not those of governments acting for the benefit of the corporations and their profit driven motives. Rather than impose and instruct, our union must seek ways to encourage the involvement of teachers in the future of their profession and the lives of their students. There are no easy routes to strengthening the union and convincing young teachers especially of the importance of combined organised action. The best learning experiences are in the doing and what we do shapes what we become. The right to strike cannot be defended unless we defend our right with actions. Our union must allow teachers a voice, and support activities that animate the words solidarity, freedom and democracy.

By Peter Curtis – 2007