MAY DAY - THE FIGHT FOR RIGHTS AIN'T OVER YET

1 May 2010

South Australian workers are being warned ahead of the looming federal election that their work rights could again be at risk from the federal coalition.

This year's May Day rally is not just a time to celebrate past achievements, but a reminder that the fight for rights continues.

Special guest, ACTU President Sharan Burrow says South Australians fought hard at the last federal election to get rid of the Howard government and its unfair WorkChoices regime, and cannot afford a return to similar hard line policies under Tony Abbott.

SA May Day Committee convenor Jamie Newlyn says the May Day march is also a chance to fight for other inequities.

He says the abolition of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) is crucial to restore fairness and safety to worksites.

"Construction's one of the most dangerous industries out there, yet in a leftover from the Howard era workers can't take a stand against unsafe worksites under threat of jail and fines.  It's un-Australian and it's got to go", Mr Newlyn says.

Another unfair law that must be got rid of is the Northern Territory intervention.

"This law discriminates on the basis of race and adds to the injustices already endured by our indigenous brothers and sisters.  We must be vigilant against the laws creeping over state borders and we must fight to ensure Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory are treated the same as all other Australians", he says.

The May Day march will start at Victoria Square Tarndanyangga from 10.00 am and march to Torrens parade Ground where it will follow with celebrations in the afternoon with a picnic and family fun festival.