The President writes Blowtorch on politicians The Public Education Convention placed the spotlight, or perhaps blowtorch, firmly on the performance and prospects of our federal politicians. John Hennessy, NSW Teachers Federation General Secretary introduced ACTU President, Sharan Burrow. Sharan former NSW Teachers Federation Senior Vice President and Australian Education Union President was greeted warmly by the conference delegates. John in introducing Sharan called on Federation members to demonstrate their union solidary by participating in a union rally in the country town of Orange. Email, a major manufacturing company is threatened with take over and 1500 jobs are at risk.
Seats are available on a train taking unionists from Sydney to Orange to participate in the rally.
Sharan congratulated the Federation in the outcome of its recent Salaries dispute with the NSW government. She thought the outcome achieved by the Federation against a hostile employer was a fantastic effort by the members and the leadership and set a benchmark that other teacher unions would now seek to emulate. Under the Howard Government there has been a destruction of the social fabric and Australia is a divided nation. Sharan's report to the conference was greeted by acclamation by Conference delegates.