Sean Bowes
LightNews LightNews
banner
seanbowes.bsky.social
Sean Bowes
@seanbowes.bsky.social
74 followers 94 following 86 posts
On Gadigal land (Sydney).

Community lawyer. Union member. Pronouns: He/they.

Views are my own, not my employer's. My posts are not legal advice.
Posts Replies Media Videos
seanbowes.bsky.social
'The next flotilla is already on its way' - First Dog on the Moon (@firstdogonthemoon.bsky.social)

🔗 www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2025/oct/06/the-gaza-flotilla-gives-us-hope-because-we-can-see-someone-is-doing-something
A First Dog on the Moon comic with 6 panels, titled 'How to stop a genocide (when they will not let you)'
October 7, 2025 at 4:06 AM
seanbowes.bsky.social
📢 The Australian Services Union (ASU) is holding a National Day of Action on Thursday, 23 October to protect Equal Pay and secure the pay rises that community and disability workers deserve.

🔗 www.skilledrespectedequal.com.au/national-day...

🧵 (6/6)
Text says, 'We're standing together on this. On 23 October, ASU members will rally across the country to protect Equal Pay and secure the pay rises we deserve. Join the National Day of Action'
October 5, 2025 at 10:38 AM
seanbowes.bsky.social
❓ What happens if the changes go ahead?

🔗 www.skilledrespectedequal.com.au/national-day...

🧵 (5/6)
Text says, 'What happens if the changes go ahead? The Fair Work Commission could cut pay for 3 in 4 workers. Some roles could lose up to $930/week. It would undo Equal Pay - and push workers ouf ot the sector. The Australian Industry Group is pushing for even deeper cuts'
October 5, 2025 at 10:38 AM
seanbowes.bsky.social
❓ Why pay increases, not pay cuts?

🔗 www.skilledrespectedequal.com.au/national-day...

🧵 (4/6)
Text says, 'Why pay increases, not pay cuts? The Award is outdated. It doesn't reflect the complexity of our work, the depth of our skills and experience or the value of the essential services we provide. Our work is more complex than ever and our pay should reflect that. Pay cuts will push workers out of the sector, worsening staff shortages, frontline services and job security. We need pay increases to fix the gender pay gap and properly value work in this female-dominated sector.'
October 5, 2025 at 10:38 AM
seanbowes.bsky.social
❓ What does the Award cover?

🔗 www.skilledrespectedequal.com.au/national-day...

🧵 (3/6)
Text says, 'What does the Award cover? The Award covers the basics: your pay rates, penalty rates, job classifications, hours and overtime, allowances - and more. When the Award is strong, the sector is stronger. Instead, big business is trying to cut workers' pay.'
October 5, 2025 at 10:38 AM
seanbowes.bsky.social
❓ What is the SCHADS Award?

🔗 www.skilledrespectedequal.com.au/national-day...

🧵 (2/6)
Text says, 'What is the SCHADS Award? An Award sets out the minimum pay and conditions for workers in a particular sector. For community and disability workers, this is the SCHADS Award (Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award). Two-thirds of community and disability workers have their pay and conditions set by the SCHADS Award. If you don't have a workplace enterprise agreement, the Award determines what you earn.'
October 5, 2025 at 10:38 AM
seanbowes.bsky.social
⚠️ If you work in community or disability services (for example, at a community legal centre), there's some important information here from the Australian Services Union (ASU) about proposed changes to your pay.

🔗 www.skilledrespectedequal.com.au/national-day...

A thread (1/6) 🧵
Text says, 'What is the SCHADS Award and why does it matter to your pay?'
October 5, 2025 at 10:38 AM
seanbowes.bsky.social
'The Jewish Council of Australia has today warned that the newly released Special Envoy's Plan to Combat Antisemitism risks undermining Australia's democratic freedoms, inflaming community divisions, and entrenching selective approaches to racism that serve political agendas.'
Image of a media release from the Jewish Council of Australia dated 10 July 2025. Text says, 'Special Envoy's plan is not a plan to address antisemitism, it's a plan straight out of Trump's authoritarian playbook to stoke division, racism and undermine democracy'.
July 10, 2025 at 12:11 PM
seanbowes.bsky.social
It's true, I am.
Light blue text against a bold blue background, says 'Anti-war anti-fascist'. Image includes the logo of the Australian Services Union.
June 28, 2025 at 8:11 AM
seanbowes.bsky.social
Nice. @australianunions.bsky.social
Photo of people walking along a busy city street. There is a headline from the Financial Review: 'Workers covered by union deals soars to record high'
June 28, 2025 at 8:09 AM
seanbowes.bsky.social
Happy May Day! 🍞🌹✊
An image of a raised fist. Text says, May Day 2025, remember what's at stake but also celebrate what we've achieved
May 1, 2025 at 10:54 AM
seanbowes.bsky.social
Renters' election renters' election renters' election 🏠 🗳

www.renters-election.au
Photo of a sign that says 'I rent & I vote. Scan to find out how to use your ballot to help fix renting. Learn more at renters-election.au' and 'Authorised by J. Dignam, 1 Moore Street Canberra ACT'
April 3, 2025 at 9:01 AM
seanbowes.bsky.social
There will be a 'Protect Democracy Protest' at Sydney Town Hall on Monday, 17 February at 6pm.

Here's the link to the event page: www.facebook.com/events/13402...
Photo of a reproductive justice protest outside a church. Text says, 'Protect the right to protest', 'No to broad move on orders', 'Community not criminalisation', 'Rally on new anti-protest laws', '6pm Monday 17 February', 'Sydney Town Hall'.
February 16, 2025 at 11:55 AM
seanbowes.bsky.social
'These laws will hurt everyone. Especially survivors of church sexual abuse, conversion [practices], students, anti-war protestors, First Nations peoples and their allies.'
Photo of a pro-Palestine rally in Sydney Hyde Park, opposite St Mary's Cathedral. Text says, 'These laws will hurt everyone. Especially survivors of church sexual abuse, conversion [practices], students, anti-war protestors, First Nations peoples and their allies.'
February 16, 2025 at 11:52 AM
seanbowes.bsky.social
'Protesting is a vital means of holding those in power accountable, and religious institutions exercise significant and overt political power in Australian politics. This makes them a legitimate site of protest in a democratic society.'
Photo of a protest outside Sydney Town Hall and St Andrew's Cathedral. Text says, 'Protesting is a vital means of holding those in power accountable, and religious institutions exercise significant and overt political power in Australian politics. This makes them a legitimate site of protest in a democratic society.'
February 16, 2025 at 11:52 AM
seanbowes.bsky.social
'There are over 30 places of worship in Sydney CBD. This means these laws could be used to end snap rallies from happening in the city.'
Photo of a church with ribbons on the fence. Text says, 'There are over 30 places of worship in Sydney CBD. This means these laws could be used to end snap rallies from happening in the city.'
February 16, 2025 at 11:52 AM
seanbowes.bsky.social
From the NSW Council for Civil Liberties: 'The NSW Labor Government has introduced new laws that will criminalise protest in or near a religious institution. This means people chanting, or holding up signs, in or near a place of worship could face arrest and give police broad new move on powers.'
Photo of a queer rights rally. Text says, 'Your rights at risk' and 'The NSW Labor Government has introduced new laws that will criminalise protest in or near a religious institution. This means people chanting, or holding up signs, in or near a place of worship could face arrest and give police broad new move on powers.'
February 16, 2025 at 11:52 AM
seanbowes.bsky.social
From the Australian Services Union: 'These workers are standing up for a fair wage rise, better work/life balance, and 10 days of reproductive health leave.

'Together, we’ll win a fairer EBA and ensure every employee is valued for their hard work.'
Text says 'Breaking news' and 'Workers at Maurice Blackburn have voted to stand up for their rights by taking industrial action'
December 2, 2024 at 6:38 AM
seanbowes.bsky.social
This is one of the most disgraceful acts I've seen by any Australian government: Queensland's new government abolishing the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry, repealing the Path to Treaty and doing it via an amendment snuck into a bill about the Olympics and Paralympics. #QldPol
Photo of Joshua Creamer with a statement about the repeal of the Path to Treaty Act.
November 28, 2024 at 11:15 AM
seanbowes.bsky.social
There's been lots of conflicting information about transport options in Sydney over the coming days.

I'm now looking here: transportnsw.info/news/2024/in...

And a reminder (illustrated by Sam Wallman).
An illustration of fight with text that says 'If you're inconvenienced by a strike blame the boss not the workers'.
November 20, 2024 at 11:45 AM