
Issue No 120		23 November 2001

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Letters to the Editor

Is 60-40 Good Odds?

Re-'Sixty-Forty a good odds!' John Robertson is absolutely right in pointing to the superficial and I would argue, dishonest, campaign being waged by some in the ALP over the ties of the ALP to organised labour. The current campaign smacks somewhat of an exercise in casting about for something 'modern and different'to say, to distinguish the next bunch of parliamentary hopefuls from the last lot. A bit of 'third way' rhetoric without the full embarrassing baggage of that tired old cliche.

However, that being said, it is time that the trade union movement engaged in a little self analysis of its own. It is true as John points out, that trade unions are more popular than the ALP-but what's the point if they are never where people need them to be so they can join? For far too long the issue of union presence, or lack of it, has been spoken about in internal forums, but the time is overdue for raising it openly.

How is it that in areas of suburban Sydney where there are hundreds of thousands of potential union members, you would be flat out getting a quorum to form a workplace organising committee? How is it that the fastest growing section of the working class over the last two decades-women returning to the workplace,(often part time and casual)-is precisely that part of the working class least likely to be a member of a union, notwithstanding the fact that it is precisely these workers that need unions most? How is it that the most frequently given reply to the question "Why aren't you a member of the union?" is "no-one asked me?" For how much longer are we going to tolerate a situation where the implicit view seems to be-they should look up the telephone book and find out what union to join? The truth is that with 25% of the workforce currently organised, those that seek for their own opportunist reasons to break the links between the parliamentary party and organised labor are being given a free kick.

I agree that the union movement is still the most representative and active movement in society notwithstanding these limitations, but the truth is that unless we can do better than 25% overall, and 19% in the private sector, we are not only giving comfort to our enemies, more importantly we are failing the very constituency we say needs and likes us. There is not much point in being loved, if you are never there to provide support, is there?

Linda Carruthers

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Issue 120 contents

Interview: Civilising Capital
Peter Butler is a global investor with a difference. He believes that environment, shareholder democracy and workers rights make good business sense.

Industrial: All In The Family
In his opening submission to the landmark case, ACTU assistant secretary Richard Marles argues working hours are vital to life.

Unions: Saving Cinderella
It is a modern day fairy tale - a Cinderella from the suburbs, worked like a slave from morning to night injured and then abandoned.

International: Recognising China
Gough Whitlam draws the links, past and present, between recognition of China and the continuing struggle to achieve a genuinely inclusive Australian democracy.

History: The Speakers Square
A new book lifts the lid on Melbourne's radical past - including the soapboxes that dotted the city in the 1890s.

Economics: Back to the Pack
The big story in this year�s State of the States League Table is the end of the long reign of New South Wales at the top of the heap.

Satire: Man Reneges On Promise To Leave The Country If Howard Re-Elected
A Sydney man has decided he won�t leave Australia despite the re-election of the Howard Government.

Review: When Hippes Meet Unionists
A new book investigates how links between politics and culture reached a high point in the 1970s

» Calls for ALP Fundraising Code

» Mad Monk Keeps IR

» Ignored Warnings Bring Tragic Results

» ACTU Executive To Mark Union Bounce Back

» Workers Will Lose from Unfair Contract Changes

» Tassie On Top, While NSW And WA Slip

» Costa Gets First Union Call

» Hamberger in Hot Water

» Egan to Pay for Welfare Win

» Sweet Victory for Sugar Workers

» Selectron Demise Spells Death of Tech Inustry

» Telco Industry Growth Hits The Wall

» Shocking Conditions in Clothing Industry

» Workers Force Council Backdown

» New Dili Project Launched

» Airport Guards Welcome Work Study Case

» No News is Bad News for the Bush

» Getonboard Closes Doors

» Activists Notebook

» Organiser of the Year Nominations Open

» The Soapbox

» The Soapbox

» Trades Hall

» Tool Shed

» The Cost a Costa

» Unionism and the ALP - a Workers View.

» Is 60-40 Good Odds?

» Ancient OHS - The Wergild Sysstem

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