Union is strength

I’ve seen my brothers standing
with my sisters hand in hand.
Together we will make
the government understand
that they can’t control the people,
we have a will of our own,
we’ll build a mighty nation –
’cause this land is our home.

We’re not just cannon fodder
for their satanic mills,
we’ve humanity and dignity,
we’re not just bloody dills.

A fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay
is what our fathers used to say
when they fought for the eight hour day
with social justice holding sway.

We won’t kowtow to deregulation,
we won’t bow down in trepidation,
we’ll fight for decent arbitration
much to the bosses consternation.

Flexibility has gone awry
screwing workers on the sly,
unions will smash this twisted lie,
we’ll fight, we’ll win, we’ll always try.

Precarious part-time employment
provided for the bosses’ enjoyment
doesn’t lead to a healthy nation,
just embittered confrontation.

Workers all, our time has come
to end the cheating bosses’ run
we’ll do the work, then have our fun
and celebrate the victories won.

I’ve seen my brothers standing 
with my sisters hand in hand. 
Together we will make
the government understand
that they can’t control the people, 
we have a will of our own,
we’ll build a mighty nation – 
’cause this land is our home.

First published in Al-Moharer Vol.246b 9/8/2006 http:www.moharer.net/mohhtm/tomlinson246b.htm
also published in The Woodstock Journal Vol.38 September 2006 CMFEU Tasmania