Issue No 105 | 03 August 2001 | |
Letters to the EditorTri-Star - Just In Time to Blame
One point for those who are quick to condemn manufacturing unions for their industrial action in the car industry. Manufactures, large and small, have been able to move to a "just in time" manufacturing regime. No longer do car plants need weeks of parts in stock, and are they have been saved the expense of warehouses, storemen and clerks. This has only been possible because of a climate of good industrial relations, going back many years. Just in time has given millions in extra profits to big business, much of it foreign owned. Workers have gained very little of the benefits through their pay packets. The system does mean, however, that one industrial dispute anywhere in the manufacturing chain will result in unintended stand-downs for others. Noel Baxendell
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Interview: Whose Advocate? Employment Advocate Jonathon Hamberger argues the case for his organisation's survival and reveals his secret union past. Politics: CHOGM: What Should Unions Do? Activists Peter Murphy and Vince Caughley kick off the debate about what is the appropriate action ot take when CHOGM leaders meet in Brisbane E-Change: 2.1 - The Changing Corporate Landscape In the second part of their series on the impact of new technology, Peter Lewis and Michael Gadiel try to understand the new corporate playing field. Unions: Hamburgled Jim Marr reports that the Employment Advocate has been handed a chance to salvage some credibility by cleaning up anti-union practices in the call centre industry. Economics: Privatisation: The Dangerous Road Frank Stilwell argues that the corporate collapses of HIH and One Tel are potent reminders of the downside of �people�s capitalism�. History: Hard-Earned Lessons Art Shostack looks at the legacy of the landmark strike by PATCO air traffic controllers 20 years ago. International: Political Prisoner Greenpeace campaigner Nic Clyde, facing up to six years gaol in the United States for taking part in a non-violent protest, speaks exclusively with workers Online. Review: Seven Pubs and Seven Nights Labor Council's newest recruit, Susan Sheather, shows she respects tradition by going in search of the perfect bar Satire: Obituary: Mr Rob Cartwright - Captain of Industry In all fields of endeavour, there are those who command our respect through their sheer commitment to excellence. One such titan was Rob Cartwright, whose chosen field, the obscure HR discipline of "moving people onto individual contracts" lost its greatest practitioner and champion late last night, following a tragic self-inflicted accident.
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