
Issue No 105		03 August 2001

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

News

Paradise Lost – Insurers Kill Workers' Camp

A trade union holiday camp has been forced to close because no insurer will cover it, sparking calls for the Carr Government to regulate the entire industry.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has stopped members using the 14 units at Jervis Bay after its insurer refused to provide cover - despite the union making just two claims totally $7,000 over the past 30 years. The insurer gave the RTBU no other reason than it was its business strategy.

But when the union went looking for an alternate insurer, they were continually knocked back - on the grounds that their original insurer had refused to insure them!

RTBU state secretary Nick Lewocki says the decision shows insurance companies are out of control.

"The matter has highlighted to the RTBU that the insurance industry is not governed by any regulations or guidelines that require them to provide a service to either business or private citizens," he says.

"If a major insurance company can dump a customer of 30 years what chance would an ordinary working family have against such action."

Lewocki says that while the insurance industry is happy to take millions underwriting NSW Government contracts and commercial property owned by superannuation funds, they are turning their backs on ordinary people.

"First it was the bastard banks, now it's the bastard insurers," he says.

The Labor Council is calling on the Carr Government to implement an immediate Code of practise requiring the industry to act in a fair and equitable manner.

"Only those insurance companies that sign a code should be eligible to insure government-owned property," Lewocki says.

And he says unions should also call on industry superannuation fund trustees to use only insurance companies who are committed to such a code for commercial property owned by industry superannuation funds.

"Only the trade union movement is capable of forcing these corporate mavericks to be accountable to force the industry to comply with appropriate regulations and guidelines that will assist families and workers in the protection of their property."

View entire issue - print all of the articles!

Issue 105 contents

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.

» Paradise Lost – Insurers Kill Workers' Camp

» Entitlements Betrayal at Centre of Car Crisis

» Piggins Pledges Support for Building Workers

» Legal Win for Wharfie Widows

» Unions Call for Dropping of Greenpeace Charges

» Jubilee Marches On Despite G8 Debt Fatigue

» Cleaner Sacked For Visiting Aging Parents Overseas

» Bracks Plans Curbs on Assembly Rights

» Big Gain for Weight Loss Workers

» Qld Wage Increases Welcomed

» Protecting Children, Protecting Jobs

» Child Labour Fine on McDonald's

» Call for Colombian Inquiry Into Murders

» Activist Notebook