
Issue No 109		31 August 2001

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News

Award Win For Telco Workers

Decent pay and better employment conditions moved one step closer for tens of thousands of Australian telecommunications workers, with a successful union bid to establish an industry award.

The industry award case was instigated by the CPSU who recently secured redundancy entitlements for One.Tel workers following the company's spectacular demise.

The Industrial Relations Commission decision handed down in Sydney today has been welcomed by telecommunications workers. It delivers the prospect of an industry-wide safety net for the first time.

CPSU National Secretary, Wendy Caird said, "This is an important step in delivering real improvements for people in this new industry. The One.Tel experience demonstrated clearly how vulnerable these workers are. It also demonstrated how unions like the CPSU can make a positive difference."

"This decision recognises the groundswell of support for unions amongst employees in companies such as Vodafone, Primus, Orange and AAPT," added Ms Caird.

As a first priority, unions will move quickly to gain an interim redundancy award for the whole industry, to protect workers caught in One.Tel style collapses. Following this, unions will commence negotiations for a comprehensive industry award.

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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