Unions Tasmania secretary Jessica Munday spearheads workers May Day rally in Hobart CBD

Hundreds of chanting union members have converged on Hobart’s CBD for a May Day march, tirelessly campaigning for the big issues facing Tasmanian workers amid a cost of living crisis.

Unions Tasmania secretary Jessica Munday at Parliament lawn, Hobart. Picture Chris Kidd

As it celebrates 140 years in Tasmania, the head of the union movement’s peak body says unions are needed more than ever with workers facing “a cost of living crisis”.

Jessica Munday, secretary of Unions Tasmania, led a May Day march in Hobart on Saturday which also doubled as a birthday celebration.

Hundreds of workers marched and chanted behind union banners which she described as a “great turnout and steadily growing every year”.

Hundreds of people have rallied and chanted in a May Day march through Hobart streets on Saturday. Picture: Matthew Growcott

“May Day is marked across the globe by trade unions every year to celebrate all our achievements as well as talk about the big issues that are still facing workers,” Ms Munday said.

“The need for unions is more important than ever given that workers are facing a cost of living crisis and we’ve already got employers pushing against pay rises and blaming workers for inflation that’s not their fault.

“This crisis is driven in large part by excessive corporate profits.

“It is unions arguing and bargaining every day for better wages so that workers can cope with current pressures.”

Ms Munday said the first unions in Tasmania were formed by craft workers including printers and bakers in the early 1800s but many of them only lasted for short periods of time.

She said the Trades and Labour Council was formed in 1883 in Hobart and later expanded across the state.

The union members proudly stormed the CBD. Picture: Matthew Growcott

“Early on, the TLC were concerned with winning an eight hour working day and this united workers.

“Led by the TLC, we were successful in enshrining it in legislation and this public holiday remains which Tasmanians mark every March.

“It was also a major opponent of conscription during the First World War and was attacked for its position.

Ms Munday said unions had worked hard to improve the rights and conditions of workers and played key roles in campaigns that saw federal legislation changed including the repeal of anti-union WorkChoices legislation.

She said she was proud of the union movement’s “history of resistance and survival”.

“Not many organisations can say they’ve lasted 140 years and continue to stay true to their objectives.

“We are, and remain, fearless campaigners for the working class and a counterpoint for workers to pool their collective power and demand a better deal.

“Unions are responsible for winning conditions that many of us take for granted like workplace safety laws, superannuation, and equal pay.

Ms Munday said Tasmania still had the highest percentage of workers in unions in the country but said it had fallen from past decades.

The 140th celebrations follow the CPSU marking 125 years last year and the Labor Party’s 120 year birthday this month.

ACTU secretary Sally McManus was scheduled to address the rally but was unable to attend because she had Covid.