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| Issue No 112 |  |
21 September 2001 |
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NewsStellar Drops Unionism Ban
Peace appears to have broken out in the CPSU-Stellar brawl, refereed for a time by a strangely-mute Jonathan Hamberger. The breakthrough came when the company, operating cut-wage operations for Telstra at Wollongong, Robina, Adelaide and Joondaloop, dropped its policy of denying staff the right to union representation. In a letter to the CPSU Communication Union, Stellar employee relations director, John Zisis, confirmed his staff would not be "prohibited from having a union representative accompany them to a meeting in relation to a grievance or dispute." It is a major turnaround for an operation which, until recently, would only countenance staff being accompanied to disciplinary meetings by a non-particpating workmate, and which had routinely sought police intervention when union officials had tried to visit the site. Stellar employs hundreds of workers on non-negotiable AWAs that deliver wages around $10,000 a year less than Telstra paid to people doing the same jobs. Much of the battle was fought in Robina and Wollongong, where a handful of CPSU activists resisted constant attempts to freeze trade unionism out of their workplaces. Citing alleged breaches of Workplace Relations Act freedom of association provisions, the CPSU referred Stellar's union block to Employment Advocate Hamberger who had, ironically, campaigned vigorously for call centres to dump collective agreements in favour of AWAs. Hamberger, previously litigious on the question of freedom of association, agreed to write a letter. In the light of last week's development the CPSU's Adrian O'Connell said planned legal action had been dropped. "This is an important step-forward," he said. "It's a breakthrough for all concerned. There are still important issues with Stellar and this indicates they can be resolved in a constructive manner."
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   Interview: Exit InterviewMichael Costa looks back at his 14 years with the Labor Council to chart the highs, the lows and the bits in between. Parliament: Opening SalvoIn his Maiden Speech, delivered this week, Costa gave vent to his views on immigration, Marx, globalisation and mental health. Scandals: My Evil TwinCo-conspirator and 'intellectual soulmate' Mark Duffy recounts the legendary 'Leaked Paper' Affair and how its predictions soon came to pass. Politics: An Agent for ChangeFormer secretary Michael Easson argues that Costa was instrumental in redefining the factional balance in NSW in the wake of the Cold War. Review: The Thoughts of Chairman MCNeale Towart trawls the collected works of Michael Costa and looks at his love-hate affair with Marx. Factions: Kyoto SunsetNaomi Steer - the first left-winger to work at Labor Council in decades - recalls how she discovered the real Michael in a Karaoke lounge. History: A Proud TraditionFormer Premier Barrie Unsworth argues Costa enters Parliament as the best qualified Labor Council leader ever to make the transition. Psychology: The Man Behind the MaskCosta's predecessor Peter Sams argues that behind the bluff facade lay a loyal and caring friend. Seduction: Michael and MeChris Christodoulou recounts how Costa convinced him to cross the factional divide and take up residence in Sussex Street. Satire: Ode to LeonLong-time sparring partner, Peter Botsman submits this lyrical tribute to Costa's career.
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