
Issue No 109		31 August 2001

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News

Manusafe Decision Faces Appeal

Backers of the workers entitlements trust fund, Manusafe, are considering appealing a decision this week that would limit the ability of workers to take industrial action in support of the fund.

The Australian Industrial Relations Commission found metal unions cannot lawfully take industrial action in pursuit of the Manusafe trust fund or substantially similar trust funds.

In a s127 ruling handed down this afternoon, Justice Paul Munro found that Manusafe did not pertain to the employment relationship and therefore couldn't form part of a claim for inclusion in an enterprise agreement.

But he left the door open for other arrangements to secure employee entitlements, including provisions making them portable, and set out in some detail the form that such arrangements could take.

The head of Manusafe Andrew Whilley says the decision is being examined in details and avenues for appeal are being explored.

"The decision has not ruled out the use of trust fund as a mode to protect workers entitlements," Whilley says..

"It is quite clears that the community support is still behing trust funds as the best vehicle to protect enetitlements."

Victory at Maintrain - A Victory for all Workers

Meanwhile, after nearly 8 weeks on the picket line, in a dispute that management predicted would be over in two days, the victory at Maintrain is a land mark win for all workers.

The struggle at Maintrain was about the right of all workers to have security over their own accruing entitlements rather than being used as an interest free loan used by the boss to prop up his business cash flow.

Like Tri Star and Monroes before, Maintrain has established an essential milestone towards the establishment of an Industry Trust Fund to secure the entitlements of manufacturing workers.

The resolution of the Maintrain dispute established a Bank Guarantee, underpinned by a contract with the State Rail Authority. This Guarantee secures past and future accruing entitlements, together with the establishment of a Trust Fund with employees being the beneficiaries for the placement of future long service leave accruals.

These three disputes - Tri Star, Monroes and Maintrain, together demonstrate the determination of AMWU members to secure what is rightfully their's.

NSW State Secretary, Paul Bastian, said that the AMWU was prepared to take on the fight for its members work shop by work shop until every manufacturing worker knows that their families' financial future is secure.

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  Issue 109 contents

Interview: Union Power
Electrical Trades Union state secretary Bernie Riordan surveys the union movement's troubled relationship with Labor.

International: Spreading the Word
Veronica Apap profiles Kamal Fadel and the battle he is fighting for the independence of his homeland of West Sahara.

E-Change: Training for a Wired Workforce
Education is the entry point into the new economy; but the system still reflects an industrial age view of the world.

Unions: AWU Defends Millennium Train Workers
Mark Hearn looks at how a group of Newcastle workers are setting a new standard in the railways.

Politics: Chatting with Enemies of the State
Brazils MST is the largest and most radical social movement in the Americas. The CFMEU�s Phil Davey drops in for a chat.

History: Struggle and Inspiration
Rowan Cahill argues that it is only through understanding history that we can make sense of the present plight of workers.

Technology: A World Without Microsoft
Heather Sharp argues that all technologies involve political choices and moral values. Computer software is no exception, and it is Bill Gates' choices that dominate.

Review: Let There Be Rock
Kid Rock and Beer Bong, Australia�s Oldest Rock Fans review the week�s music and political events from the safety of the bar stool.

Satire: Tampa refugees ask to go home: "It's less inhumane than Australia"
The 460 asylum seekers on board the Tampa freight vessel have demanded to be taken back to their oppressive homelands, which they now realise aren�t nearly as hostile as Australia.

» The Meaning of Working Life � The Answer is 7.1!

» Unions Stand Up for National Soul

» MUA Salvages Some Pride

» Common Law Report Plea � Make It Public

» Maintenance Contract 'Could Put Lives at Risk'

» Tax Office's GST Scam - 10 Per Cent Off!

» Della Moves on Pay Slip Concerns

» Authorities Scotch Bra-Burning

» Manusafe Decision Faces Appeal

» Orange Finally Saved from Closure

» Award Win For Telco Workers

» Abbott Clears Way for Lower Wages

» SDA Defeats 'Obscene' Westfield Parking Fees

» Labor Calls On Abbott To Abide By Convention

» Nurses Highlight Staff Shortages

» Keystone Cops At Wonderland Protest

» Call for Change in Award Increases

» Green Tin Box Values Gone At Commonwealth

» Dance for Independence

» Get Ready to Wobble

» Activist Notebook

» STOP PRESS: ITF says PM Tampa action illegal