The election of the minority labor government is an opportunity for creative unions to form clever alliances with community organisations to increase the influence of both. A blueprint 
for creating unions-community coalitions is the essence of a timely book having its national launch in Adelaide tonight.
NSW Unions organiser Amanda Tattersall’s book “Power in Coalition; strategies for strong unions and social change” has been published by the prestigious Cornell University.
It’s the first book of its kind, and shows when coalitions are likely to succeed and when they’re likely to fail” SA Unions secretary Janet Giles says.
Ms Giles is not stranger to the idea of powerful unions and community coalitions, as one of the driving forced behind the hugely successful Your Rights at Work campaign she helped crystalise an alliance between unions and grassroots community organisations that delivered three crucial seats at the 2007 federal election to precipitate a change in government.
“It shows that when you get it right, the results can be spectacular” Ms Giles says.
“This book is about creating effective advocacy and powerful voices – and we have a prime opportunity in Australia for unions to re-emerge onto the national stage with more vigour than we’ve seen in years” Ms Giles says.
Author Amanda Tattersall says the current hung parliament is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for unions and community organisations to form powerful alliances to achieve social change.
“In a climate where the rising power of capital has created a hostile environment for unions, characterized by aggressive employers, unfriendly government and declining union membership, unions have had to re-evaluate their roles and objectives. The result has been novel strategies that have re-energised unions’ role as the champion of the worker, through coalitions or alliances with community organizations” Ms Tattersall says.
Media Note: Launch 6pm tonight, Imprints booksellers, 107 Hindley Street City. Amanda Tattersall 0409 321 133 (except 12-2pm when enroute to Adelaide)
