'Crumbs no longer good enough': Protest crowd of 60,000 set to shut down city
A three-hour union protest in the centre of Melbourne's CBD will see all city tram and bus routes disrupted as up to 60,000 workers rally for new pay deals.
The crowd at the Change the Rules rally started gathering at Trades Hall at 10am on Wednesday and plans to march to the Melbourne Magistrates Court before heading towards the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets.
Sally McManus, Secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, will address the rally about midday.
All major thoroughfares in the city, including Russell Street, LaTrobe Street, William Street, Lonsdale Street, Swanston Street and Flinders Street will be affected by closures until roughly 1.30pm, according to VicRoads.
Yarra Trams has warned all city routes will be affected.
"The streets affected... are all major tram corridors in the city. We advise passengers to allow extra time or use the City Loop," a spokesman said.
ACTU spokesman spokesperson Peter Green said they expected more than 50,000 people to attend.
"(The congestion) is unavoidable I guess when we have this many who want to get out on the streets," he said.
Workers from dozens of different unions will be rallying to "change the rules" for working people, the day after the federal government handed down the 2018-19 budget.
Victorian Trades Hall Council Secretary Luke Hilakari told the crowd this morning the system was "fundamentally broken for working people.
"It's been broken for far too long," he said. "Wages are at record lows yet company profits right now are at record highs.
"Last night's budget did nothing for working people. Malcolm Turnbull threw crumbs to Australian workers. Crumbs are no longer good enough for working people - we want the whole cake. We want our penalty rates back, we want equal pay for women.
"We want to make sure our jobs are safe," he said.
"That's why 60,000 to 80,000 of us are on the streets today. This is a big effort for the union movement. This is going to be the biggest campaign we've seen in more than a decade. Things need to changes comrades and it starts with us."
Melbourne University staff will strike for four hours today as part of their long campaign for a new enterprise agreement, and Melbourne Port workers have reportedly walked off the job.
Victoria police is expecting a crowd of between 50-60,000 people. “Victoria Police is providing a significant police presence and is working closely with the City of Melbourne and Trades Hall Council to provide a safe environment,” a spokesperson said.
“We respect the right of the community to express their views peacefully and lawfully, but we will not tolerate people breaking the law.
“Police will be present to monitor the rally, manage traffic disruptions and ensure public safety.”