**UPDATE**
Good morning,
Unfortunately, the weather has not been kind to Unions Tasmania today and we have had to cancel our May Day Parade.
We still be holding an informal celebration at Unions Tasmania’s office and welcoming striking Tolosa Street workers who are walking off the job this morning in their fight to save the public mental health beds at their facility from being privatised.
Media are invited to attend Unions Tasmania (212 Liverpool Street) at 12 noon instead.
For further information - Jessica Munday 0417 454 809.
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Hundreds of union and community members will gather today for Unions Tasmania’s annual May Day celebrations in nipaluna/Hobart.
This year’s May Day events were delayed due to the timing of the Federal Election and are being held later in the month of May.
“There is a lot to celebrate this May Day in particular following the repudiation by Australians of Peter Dutton’s wage and job cutting agenda and the re-election of the Albanese Labor Government,” said Unions Tasmania Secretary, Jessica Munday.
“Since we gathered here last year, Tasmanian unions have had some huge victories for workers. We finally saw industrial manslaughter become law in Tasmania following years of campaigning. Workers across the state have made real progress on winning mainland wages, in the private sector at places like Saputo, and in the public sector too. We’ll be celebrating those wins today.”
May Day grew out of the movement for an eight-hour working day. Australian workers led the way in this historical achievement with stonemasons winning an eight-hour working day in 1856. It inspired workers around the world to campaign for the same.
In Tasmania, unions get together in May to celebrate all that we have achieved together for workers, but also to highlight the contemporary campaigns and fights we still must win.
This year, Tasmania’s May Day celebrations are being held less than a week before the State Budget with the Liberal Government planning to sell almost all the state’s government businesses as well as sacking 2,500 Tasmanian public sector workers.
“This year, part of our May Day celebrations is also taking a stand against Jeremy Rockliff’s privatisation and public sector job cuts plans. Unions know that privatisation is a failed ideology that only leads to reduced services to the community, higher costs, and fewer jobs. We will not let the Premier sell off our state and put thousands of Tasmanians out of work,” said Ms Munday.
WHEN: Saturday 24 May
WHERE: Meet behind the CPSU office (rear entrance via Victoria Street) before marching around the CBD.
TIME: Media are invited to obtain comment at 11.30am before the Parade commences at 12 noon. Available for comment will be Unions Tasmania Secretary Jessica Munday and HACSU Secretary Robbie Moore.
For further information contact Jessica Munday on 0417 454 809
