Melbourne`s CBD was blocked by 60, 000 people this morning because of last night`s freshly released federal budget.
About 60,000 workers took to Melbourne`s streets this morning to call for a new pay deal, the Times reported. The union protest, which lasted more than three hours, affected all tram and bus routes in the city.
The protest, known as "Change of the Rules," reportedly started at the Municipal Trade Department, with union members from dozens of different unions carrying flags from La Trobe Street parade to the District Court, where the secretary of the Union Confederation of Victoria, Sally McManus, spoke at the event.
All major access roads, including Russell Street,LaTrobe Street,William Street,Lonsdale Street,Swanston Street and Flinders Street, will be blocked by the protests, and roads are expected to resume around 01:30, the Victoria State Road Traffic Agency said.
Yarra Trams also warned that all tram lines in Melbourne had been affected and advised passengers to reserve extra time or use the City Loop train line to travel.
The core of the protest was the federal government`s 2018-19 budget the day before.
Luke Hilakari, secretary of the state trade department, said in a speech that workers` wages were at an all-time low, but corporate profits were record; however, the new budget didn`t do anything for the working class.
"Tan Bao only gave us some bread crumbs, but today this little bread crumbs is not enough! What we want is a whole piece of cake. We need to get back overtime pay. Women get equal pay for work of equal value to ensure the safety of work! That`s why we`re on the street today, it`s a big effort by the trade unions, and it`s the biggest event we`ve ever had in more than a decade-things need to change, and that`s going to start with us! " He said impassioned.
However, it can be seen from the scene that Chinese workers who are often victims of labour disputes in the parade team are rarely seen. This may be worth reflecting on by all Chinese Australians: when will they be more active in their labour interests?
