Thousands of unionists are marching in Brisbane this morning for Labour Day as workers declare war on the Crisafulli government.
The Australian Worker’s Union, celebrating its 140th anniversary, will lead the march followed by the Transport Federation comprising the RTBU, TWU and MUA.
The march comes as the RBTU and a number of unions continue industrial action, impacting on rail services across Brisbane with up to 300 train services axed.
The Electrical Trade Union, who is in the middle of enterprise bargaining negations with the state government, chanted “Jarrod Bleijie, time to pay” and “ETU, here for the blue”.
A marching band led the march, playing Celebration by Kool & The Gang and popular Disney track Hakuna Matata.
The May Day march has seen a significant turn out this year, with tens of thousands expected to take part in the parade from Cathedral Square to the RNA Showgrounds.
As the march kicked off, Queensland Council of Unions secretary Jacqueline King said unions were now at war with the LNP.
The QCU and its members had launched a campaign calling on the Crisafulli government to scrap plans to alter worker safety and compensation laws.
“The Premier said last year that he didn’t want to go to war with members … we are now 18 months in and starting to see a government that wants to go to war with all unions,” Ms King said.
“Whether that’s with teachers who have been forced into arbitration, whether that’s shutting down the rail network when Queensland Rail workers are trying to bargain a fair wage increase, whether that’s workplace health and safety laws.
“It’s going to look at lot like the previous LNP Newman government.”
While unions will make up the bulk of the Labour Day crowds, non-affiliated groups can also join the tail end of the march.
Spotted at the celebrations on Monday morning was the Save Victoria Park advocacy group attempting to halt construction of the Brisbane 2032 stadium.
Pro-Palestinian protesters were also waiting to the side of the crowds under police watch.
It is understood the small group had planned to intercept the head of the march.
The group stood peacefully and held a sign that read: “Palestine is union business”.
The state government is currently undertaking two reviews into the Workplace Health and Safety Act and the WorkCover scheme.
Teachers Union president Cresta Richardson said watering down safety and compensation laws would have a significant impact on teachers.
“We know that our members are at the forefront of the primary mental health claims, and to say that that’s not part of their work, and to deny them that right to be able to claim safety and to get back to work so that they can get back to work, is of real concern to us as the Queensland teachers union and to our members,” she said.
“Changing the laws like that doesn’t respect our profession.”
The QTU has been in a wage standoff with the Crisafulli government for a year and is currently awaiting arbitration dates from the Fair Work Commission.
Ms Richardson said members may have to wait until 2027 for a deal.
Meanwhile, Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union (QNMU) said healthworkers were marching for better cost of living relief, particularly affordable housing.
“Nurses, midwives and carers and other essential frontline workers can only afford between one and 3 per cent of rental properties,” she said.
“This means the pressure to find somewhere to live, to pay their bills, to meet their mortgage payments, and to also be able to afford to come to work, is increasing.”
She added that any changes to WorkCover compensation schemes was unacceptable and dangerous for nurses, who are at risk of abuse and assault at work.
“Make no mistake, workplace violence for nurses, midwives and carers, is real,” she said.
“It is distressing, it is life changing, and it is unacceptable any law that reduces safety mechanisms and threatens the ability of nurses, midwives and carers, to do their work without violence or harm, is a bad law.”