Issue No 121 | 30 November 2001 | |
Notice Board View entire latest issue
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Union Journo on Death List First 'Lab Rats' in Bank Hold-Up Monk's Mad Power Grab from States Big Print Merger Threatens Jobs Anger as Labor Staffers Shun Unions Unions Are Well Advanced In Change Unions Tell ALP Unions Step Up Organising Drive Education, Call Centre Unions Sweep Awards Bank AGMs Focus of Worker Anger Gender Balance in Transport Concessions Concern As Sydney Collapses Bakers Seek More Bread CFMEU Forces Re-Think On Asbestos Call Goes Out for Union Summer Twelve Weeks Parental Leave For Kiwis Organiser of the Year Nominations Open Activists Notebook |
Ritual Flagellation When it comes to workers compensation, it has become a well-worn ritual to blame the NSW Labor Council for selling out on the interests of workers to save a Labor Government. It is a charge being leveled against the current Labor Council leadership following the passage of workers compensation laws through State Parliament this week. One only has to peruse this week's letters to get a feeling for the depth of some people's sense of betrayal. But do the claims stack up? Unlike previous occasions, the union movement has not given its endorsement to the final package, despite a series of hard-won concessions that have removed some of the worst excesses of the Della Bosca proposals. In fact, it remains in dispute with the Carr Labor Government over the issue and will continue to campaign on the issue as examples of the new laws' impact come to light. Anyone who has been involved in the negotiations would have no doubt about the depth of anger amongst the union leadership at what they see as a fundamental abrogation of the deal between the political and industrial wings. When faced with a cost blowout in the scheme - this Labor Government opted to attack workers benefits rather than share the pain with employers. On a fundamental issue, it deserted its base. It did so in breach of the ALP policy and platform, making a mockery of claims that the Party is hamstrung by the 60-40 rule. Indeed, if the leadership actually followed the platform the damaging rift over workers comp would never have occurred. The Carr Labor Government now has 12 months to reconnect with its union base or risk running an election with limited grassroots support. The upcoming five-year review of the NSW Industrial Relations Act is one forum for showing it can take on board legitimate union concerns. Progressing unresolved issues on labor hire, job security and workplace surveillance would help too. And the way it reacts to the cases of injustice that will arise as the impact of the workers compensation changes begin to filter through will be fundamental to the union movement. Everyone in the union movement is disappointed and disillusioned at the outcome of the workers compensation 'reform' process, but they know they pushed the government every inch of the way. With targeted industrial action, direct lobbying of Labor MPs, mass meetings, culminating in the picket on Parliament, unions ensured that this package will never carry their stamp of approval. To all those who gave their support to the campaign for their workers compensation entitlements, the battle was not in vain. It is a part of a broader battle that goes to the very heart of unionism and the nature of Labor governments. And that is a battle for ideas that is far from over. Peter Lewis |
Reporters Opt for Stability | Jim Marr Pipes Up | Neale Towart's Labour Review | Rudd the Red? |
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