Peace is Union Business: May Day 2026
May 1st: May Day, International Worker’s Day… ie. Union Christmas.
Five o’clock: outside the Teachers Federation folks of all sorts gathered together, holding banners and flags. Spirited music to the tune of “Study War No More” (courtesy of the Rising Tide Street Band) filled the air. Soon, the crowd was marching – from Wollongong station to the Crown Street Amphitheatre. Unions of all kinds from across the Illawarra and beyond were present, marching and chanting: “what town? Union town.” The march reached the amphitheatre and was greeted by bagpipes, drums, and the most gorgeous full moon (which many of the following speakers took a moment to feature).
The rally began with Arthur Rorris, the secretary of the NSW South Coast Trades & Labour Council (known as South Coast Labour Council or SCLC). He highlighted how there is currently a major encroachment on the rights and freedoms of all people, but particularly workers, and how those workers have most often been the ones to act against oppression: “It is a totally outrageous time to be living, to be lectured by those that have been the worst perpetrators of biases and prejudices as to what we are and are not allowed to say in seeking to defend those that need to be defended: from genocide, from oppression, and from all other forms of discrimination.”
Paddy Crumlin, the president of the International Transportation Workers Federation was up next. He commended all of the action and fighting of the workers that had come before us, and the work we do today to maintain those wins. “[Wollongong] was created for BHP – the ‘Big Hearted People’ , we used to joke… it was a hard grinding-out of perhaps the lowest conditions of employment on the coast… all of those workers over the years [...] who created the unity and belief that we see in each other tonight.”
Following Paddy’s speech, Susan Engel, the UOW branch president of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) spotlighted the state of the University of Wollongong (UOW). She discussed its fall to the whim of consultancies and management who only chase after money and financial growth, much to the detriment of the staff, students and community left to suffer the effects.
“Years of chaos: ICAC investigations, inquiries, fewer staff, and less support for students. But still, UOW workers still show up everyday for our students and our community. I might not be proud of UOW management right now, but I’m bloody proud to be union. Proud to be part of the union that fights every day for dignity, for job security, for public education. Proud to live in Union Town, where solidarity isn’t a slogan – it’s a duty and a privilege.”
This is particularly poignant as the NTEU is set to enter into Enterprise Bargaining within the year.
After Susan finished speaking with a rambunctious cheer of “who’s university? our university!” Arthur Rorris introduced a segment in which unions would be able to introduce themselves and highlight some key issues and/or campaigns.
The Australian Salaried Medical Officers Union (ASMOF) discussed how the doctor’s ward is being heavily disrespected. There was discussion of arbitration for improved rights, along with concerns about understaffing issues,particularly in after-hours. The situation is currently so dire that the only goal is often to “keep people alive until morning.” There is also a fight for pay increase, specifically, pay parity between the states, as NSW has some of the lowest paid doctors nationally: “It’s about keeping doctors here.”
Unions Shoalhaven (District committee affiliated to South Coast Labour Council, a group of retirees fighting for unionism) spoke on the updates to the South Coast and Illawarra train lines for the Mariyung train set, meaning a change in timetabling and scheduled stations. There are decisions being made that mean that some stations, including Wolli Creek, will no longer be a part of the South Coast and Illawarra train lines, cutting the area off from Intercity connection. This will affect workers’ ability to get to places of employment, as well as travel for leisure, as airport accessibility will be further limited. There were additional highlights of how the upgrades to the train line between Kiama and Bomaderry have been further delayed and disregarded, and how growing areas continue to lack adequate transport infrastructure. “When you cut rail, you cut communities. When you cut communities, unions will fight back.”
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RBTU) discussed how “the people of Kiama and South have been left for far too long with a second-class rail system.” There are plans to close the Wollongong Signaling Complex, and the RBTU are fighting against it: “We say no!” Regarding systems beyond Wollongong, there is the ongoing fight against privatization, “getting the buses back into public hands, where they should be.”
The Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) said “we’re building the new Shellharbour Hospital, and I must say, I’m proud to be building a hospital that the community needs, instead of a jail or anything to do with war.” Currently the biggest issue in construction is compliance, getting the employers to abide by the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA). “My May Day message is this: long live anti-imperialism! Long live working-class struggle! Long live May Day! And the last one, PEACE IS UNION BUSINESS!” A roar of positive response from the crowd followed this call to action.
The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) voiced their concerns on how there have been a number of deaths in the electrical trades industry in the past year, bringing an essential need for increased safety to the forefront. “We’ve got guys going to work who haven’t returned.”
The Australian Services Union (ASU) spoke on how the Sydney Water team “have kept essential public services in public hands,” highlighting the IT, transport and connectivity workers that keep us moving. They thanked their workers in the disability support sector for their commitment to advocacy and fighting for secure funding and stable workforces. A congratulations was issued to community service workers who have secured five-year funding contracts: “Your work matters!” They also highlighted the fight for and introduction of family and domestic violence leave, which is now available to all Australian workers, under federal legislation.
The Independent Education Union (IEU) shared their “Start Strong, Pay Fair” campaign in NSW, following a hearing with the Fair Work Commission in February. This was in response to the significant underpaying of preschool staff, which was up to $35,000 per year less when compared to counterparts in primary schools, despite an equivalence in training. The Fair Work Commission has agreed that this is a responsibility of the NSW Government to rectify: “[The NSW Government] still won’t come to the table.”
The Community and Public Service Union (CPSU) highlighted the strife of working at UOW over the last few years: “The University of Wollongong is our university, and because it is our university, we will never let them forget the obligation they have to their staff, their students, and this fantastic Illawarra community, as laid out in their charter.”
The Fire Brigade Employees Union (FBEU) entered by discussing wage rises for next year. They also highlighted last year’s union win: presumptive legislation for cancer. Firefighting is an industry known to directly cause cancer, and this legislation allows for worker’s compensation claims to extend to cover a large variety of cancers, as well as be accessed much easier. This was achieved through large-scale petitioning by rank-and-file members and parliamentary actions.
The NSW Teachers Federation spotlighted the specific danger of the proposed Port Kembla nuclear submarine base with Port Kembla Public School being less than 1km away. “I don’t think American military personnel 1km from 300 young people in a primary school is a very good idea, do you? If it does come to that, we’re going to have to provide protection to that little school down there. I’ll see you on the picket.” They also called out Trump’s military spending, and how much of that money was being funneled away from health and education on a global scale.
The final speaker was Sarah Bates from Union Aid Abroad (APHEDA). APHEDA is a network providing international aid through the union movement. Sarah encouraged folks to join and donate: “APHEDA’s been around for forty years now, and in that time we’ve been at the frontline of the good fight all around the world. From the anti-apartheid struggles in South Africa, to the asbestos bans in South-East Asia, to providing dignity and care to Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, and at the moment on the frontline of the climate and gender-justice fight across our region, APHEDA, through the support and assistance of Australian workers, has been fighting the good fight.”
The rally was drawn to a close with soft and reflective renditions of “The Internationale” and “Solidarity Forever”, led by the Illawarra Union Singers. While folding up banners and hoisting flags over shoulders, the remaining crowd rushed off to Globe Lane for celebrations.
The message of the night was more than clear: peace is always – but especially now – union business.
