The AMWU is asking Queenslanders to take action, including by writing to QLD Premier Anna Bligh, to stop the privatisation of important Queensland assets.

AMWU Queensland Secretary, Andrew Dettmer, said that the AMWU had opposed the privatisation plans since day 1 and is co-ordinating a campaign with the Queensland Council of Unions to defeat the plans.

AMWU members are sending copies of a letter which rejects the privatisation plans of the Government.

The letter reads:

"Dear Premier

I write to you as a member of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union and a concerned Queenslander.

I am opposed to your short-sighted plan to sell-off public assets such as Queensland Rail’s coal arm, the Port of Brisbane, Queensland Motorways and forestry plantations. These assets are income generating and should be operated in the interests of the people of Queensland rather than in the interests of shareholders’ profits.

Up to 10,000 jobs are under threat from this decision with workers facing threats to their job security, wages and entitlements - especially in regional Queensland where Queensland Rail provides stable employment for thousands of workers.

I know that the Global Financial Crisis makes the job of your Government difficult. But selling off public assets in the current economic climate is a short-sighted strategy.

You and your government have a responsibility to the people of Queensland to retain public assets and services in public hands and we call on you to reverse this decision immediately."

Further campaign activities will be announced as the campaign continues.