Workers Online : Issue No. 11, 30 April 1999


Issue No 11		30 April 1999

Features
Interview: The Young Republican
Jason Yat-Sen Li stole the show at the Constitutional Convention with his community consultation compromise. Now he faces a bigger challenge, convincing Australia to vote Yes.

Unions: ACTU Moves on the Republic
The ACTU Executive has endrosed the Australian Republic -- but it's given Howard's Preamble the short shrift it deserves.

History: And A Hundred Years Ago
Just as it was a hundred years ago, it is important that trade unions and their members are actively involved in the current republic debate.

Reader's Forum: John Passant
A Workers Online reader explains why he'll be voting "no".

Review: Mountain Men and Women Framed
Working Lives, a history of working people from the Blue Mountains, looks back to illuminate future challenges.

Labour Review: What's New at the Information Centre
View the latest issue of Labour Review, Labor Council's fortnightly newsletter for unions.

International: Performers on the World Stage
Australian performers know better than most the importance of identity, self and place. That's why they are committed Republicans.

Republic Campaigner: Jason Yat-sen Li

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News

Workers Must Answer Call

Unions Challenge: Reclaim the Republic
Trade unionists must vigorously promote the Republican cause or the issue that the movement has championed for 100 years will fail, a key strategist has warned.
[ Full Story » ]

Freeloader Legislation on the Agenda
The Carr Government will consider special freeloader legislation to allow unions to recover service fees from non-members who receive pay rises as a result of their efforts.
[ Full Story » ]

Unions� New Years Eve Plea
Unions have called for New Years Eve to be declared a public holiday to compensate people forced to work during the party of the millennium.
[ Full Story » ]

Skill Shortage Leads to Tiling Crisis
A skills shortage in the roofing industry is at the heart of the ongoing roof crisis in the wake of this month�s savage storms across Sydney.
[ Full Story » ]

Apprentice Chefs Get Fairer Share of the Pie
Apprentice chefs in NSW will get a pay bonus of up to $181 per week thanks to a new agreement negotiated by the LHMU.
[ Full Story » ]

Rail Workers Strike for Passenger Safety
Concerns for passenger safety galvanised ASU members employed by State Rail in the Southern Tablelands to take industrial action this week.
[ Full Story » ]

Living Wage Sparks New Activity
NSW unions will pursue pay increases in areas which will profit from the Sydney 2000 Olympics, following a less than adequate federal wage case decision this week.
[ Full Story » ]

ACTU Endorses East Timor Action
Unions have resolved to take industrial action on behalf of East Timorese people if violence there escalates.
[ Full Story » ]

WorkCover Troubles Can�t Hit Injured Workers
NSW trade unions have rejected any reductions to benefits for injured workers as plans to privatise the WorkCover scheme stall.
[ Full Story » ]

NSW Young Labor Turns 50!
A large dinner for Party activists to commemorate 50 years of Young Labor will be held on Friday 21st May 1999.
[ Full Story » ]

Computer Decision Can;t Be Taken Lightly

Unionists Return From Timor

Latham Misses the Marx

Help Another Student

A Call to Arms

One of the lessons of the recent State Election was the folly of three-cornered contests. It killed the Coalition in March and now a similar spectre hangs over the Republic.

A combination of shrewd political manipulation from our monarchist Prime Minister and the passionate pursuit of broader constitutional reform from some of our own leaves the Yes vote in serious trouble.

The Yes vote is being squeezed from both sides. The diminishing number of conservative Monarchists battling no change are lined up with progressive types who want more than just an Australian head of state.

Because members from this latter group tend to be those who have put genuine thought into the question, they are particularly thick on the ground in the trade union movement.

It's hardly surprising that those of us who care about our system of government want a genuine reform of the system.

But given the way the referendum has been framed, Workers Online believes that this is a debate for another time.

Our priority in 1999 must be to establish the republic. This can then become a beachhead for future reform.

It's up to us to win over the direct electionists who are thinking of voting No; friends, family and colleagues who share our desire for a better Australia.

For it is not the Monarchists who will undo the Republic, but the progressive forces who believe a minimalist model is not enough.

And if they do, how will you feel watching John Howard open the 2000 Olympics?

Peter Lewis
Editor




Neville Wran on the Yes Campaign	Stars Give Republic Sporting Chance	Jennie George's Republic Update	The People Versus Piers

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