As we take stock of our forces on May Day, working-class power, international solidarity and socialist politics are still forces that can move the whole world. In fact, they are the only true sources of realistic hope.
The signals from the Fair Work Commission’s “expert panel” on pay and classifications in in the social and community services sector are far from reassuring.
Not a single branch of a single union in Australia has authorised industrial action in opposition to the Australian government’s role in arming Israel’s genocidal military.
If someone took $20,000 from you, you’d probably want it back. And if you and every single one of your workmates had that kind of money taken out of your pay packets it’s pretty likely you’d expect your union to try to organise to win it back.
As long as there is a steady flow of government money, poorly enforced regulation and a ruthless, cost-cutting approach to staffing and conditions, capitalists will make a killing from the care industry.
