SA Newsletter 6/05: Climate change and how to stop it

Kia ora to all members and supporters of Socialist Aotearoa,

Last week's Aotearoa is Not for Sale demonstrations were fantastic, thousands of people around the country marching against the asset sales got lots of media coverage keeping the privatisation debate alive. 

Over the next two weeks we are encouraging all our members and supporters to get stuck into our important campaigning work around the environment, low wages and Palestine solidarity. 

There are three big things coming up. Firstly, is a Socialist Aotearoa Forum this Thursday at Auckland University on climate change. Secondly, the Unite Union's McStrike campaign is holding a protest on Friday evening in Auckland city. Thirdly, next Wednesday Palestinian rights groups have called for a protest outside Veolia 

Socialist Aotearoa Forum - Climate change and how to stop it - A revolutionary socialist perspective
This week we are holding a forum at Auckland University on Climate Change and how to stop it. Shane Malva, National Affairs Officer and Socialist Aotearoa activist will be presenting a talk that looks at the critical role Auckland students can play in stopping climate chaos. We've just witnessed the hottest, driest summer in Aotearoa on record but still haven't seen any action from politicians on tackling the issue. What can we do to be part of the solution not the problem? At this forum we'll be discussing what AUSA should be doing to lower the cost of public transport for students and help slow climate change. 

When: 6pm, Thursday 9 May
Where: Room Eng3403, School of Engineering, Building No. 403., University of Auckland
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/503166446399273/
Read More: http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2012/06/how-can-we-stop-climate-change.html

McStrike Campaign - Turn McDonald's Gay Day
The Unite Union's campaign for McDonald's workers was launched last week with a rowdy picket at Queen Street McDonald's on May Day, international workers' day. And McDonald's  worker and Unite Union delegate Sean Bailey has been making international headlines with his stand against homophobia. It's an important campaign that affects thousands of hardworking, underpaid fast food workers in this city. Show your support and come to the protest this Friday.

When:  8pm, Friday 10 May
Where: Outside Britomart McDonalds, Auckland City. 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/457764770966922/
Read More: http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/mcstrike-interview-with-unite-deledate.html

Nakba - Auckland protest against Veolia
BDS Aotearoa and GPJA is calling for all supporters of the Palestinian freedom struggle to join a picket this Nakba of Veolia. This Nakba come and join the international movement against Israeli occupation by joining the protests against Auckland Transport's contract with Veolia.

When: 5pm, Wednesday 15 May
Where: Outside the Veolia offices in Customs Street (Citibank Building also the US consulate).
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BDS-Aotearoa/495796547152333?fref=ts
Read More: http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/nakba-auckland-protest-against-veolia.html

---
  
>>>News and Analysis>>>
 
Name the Date - Stop Work / Stop National
The union movement needs to stop mucking about and get its members organising again to fight the government. The Nats are happy to pick unions off one by one as long as workers don't start generalising their workplace problems with others and start realising their very real power. Teachers worried by charter schools, doctors by lengthening waiting lists, building workers facing poor health and safety, supermarket workers facing youth rates need to rub shoulders in the streets.
http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/name-date-stop-work-stop-national.html

Why are we not allowed to fight our enemies?
In times of economic crisis, the rich get richer, the poor get poorer and the gap between the two increases. Why then, is it so hard for people to pick a side? It seems simple, either you support the rich getting richer at the expense of everyone else, the planet's biological and cultural diversity and now increasingly the climate as well. Or you support and defend the rights of working people to decent jobs, decent pay and a decent standard of living in a healthy environment. If you haven't decided which side you are on, you should.
http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/why-are-we-not-allowed-to-fight-our.html

This fight isn't over
The resistance to asset sales has kept the National Government on the backfoot for a year and a half. Now it's time to turn up the heat. The only way we are going to get rid of the Nats is if we fight this government day-in, day-out until they collapse under the strain of implementing their cuts and privatisations on a rebellious population. This means that it's no good just hating the government. People need to be organised, educated and mobilised.
http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/this-fight-isnt-over.html

ENDS

© Scoop Media