
Issue No 122		07 December 2001

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

Review

Can Blinky Bill Save Unions?

Neale Towart browses the kiddies' shelves to find an Australian icon with a union-friendly message.


	Blink Bill the Activist

********************

Blinky Bill Remembers Nutsy's Birthday by Sally Farrell Odgers does get the message of "the workers' united, will never be defeated" across.

Blinky and his mates confront the problem of excessive hours, the reasons for absenteeism and the trap of individual contracts. And they overcome them. Absenteeism is a sign of unhappiness in the workplace. Excessive hours are creating "the overworked Australian". Contracts of employment have become increasingly onerous. The ACTU has begun a case in the Federal Commission on the issue.

This story, not one of the original Blinky stories by Dorothy Wall, but part of the new series produced by Yoram Gross Film Studios and screened on ABC some years ago, we find something that Tony Abbott and the ABC Board Member Michael Kroger would definitely see as more ABC bias.

There is a bit of problem of gender bias. Nutsy is grumpy because no-one apparently remembers her birthday. Blinky, Flap, Splodge and Marcia can't make a cake because Nutsy is the only one who can cook (although I guess this could be interpreted as them being the kitchen hands and Nutsy being the 5 star chef in the Australian bush). However Flap stumbles upon a concert tent and thinks he has the answer. The trouble is when they roll up the owner, Captain Possum, informs them that all the performers are ill. Blinky and mates offer their services, crucially for one performance only. When the performers hear this we realise that there is more going on than meets the eye. A brief look between all four reveals much!!

When Blinky brings Nutsy along to see the show and the "sick" performers hear the cheers, we find them suffering even more as they fear for their jobs. Old Donny the Dancing Dog exclaims "Out of Work! At my age!" He, Plodge and the wonderful Madam Melba resolve to take joint action. After a pitched battle with water and custard pies Blinky and friends find out why the performers were all "ill".

"We had to pretend to be sick, darlink," says Madam Melba. "We never had any rest, no days off. Captain Possum works us too hard!"

"Tell him you want a rest," said Blinky.

"We have contracts," said Donny gloomily. "He could turn us out."

"Yes - now he has you as replacements!" cried Madam Melba.

"No he hasn't!" grinned Blinky. "We told him one performance only! Now you tell Captain Possum you want new contracts, or you'll leave the show!"

The Captain, of course, agrees.

Solidarity Forever, and not just amongst native marsupials, the dog and a mouse are included.

Start your kids on the collective road. Great illustrations too.

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Issue 122 contents

Interview: Reality Bytes
Labor's IT spokeswoman Kate Lundy on how a third Howard Government will hurt the IT industry.

Unions: My Way or the Highway
Since 1997, workers employed by Serco/Great Southern Railways, have been locked in a struggle with their employer to have their choice of industrial instrument recognised.

Legal: Three Degrees of Contract
Marian Baird argues there is a need to more fully understand what workers, employers and our society expect from the employment relationship.

International: Bogota Terror
The assassination of a Colombian unionist has prompted international outrage.

History: Freedom or 'Federation'?
Mark Hearn and Greg Patmore argue that the journey to federation was not a one-way street.

Health: Wearing the Right Genes to Work?
Matt Brooks tracks the DNA trail to discover genetic testing in the workplace is already here.

Satire: Demidenko Releases New Book About Her Life As Afghan Refugee
Controversial author Helen Demidenko has written a brand new novel based on her gripping true life experiences as an Afghan refugee.

Review: Can Blinky Bill Save Unions?
Neale Towart browses the kiddies' shelves to find an Australian icon with a union-friendly message.

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» Corporate Giant Sponsored IT to India Report

» New Front in Battle for Compo Rights

» Progress in Email Privacy Push

» Christmas Progress on Sweatshops, Truckies

» BHP Steel Workers Fight for Security

» Union Concerned At New ASIO Powers

» Workers Call for Patrons Before Pokies

» Overtime Deal Helps Rural Hospitals

» Writers in New Chapter for Unionism

» CFMEU Backs Standards Inquiry

» Mining Company Moves To Ban Fiji Film

» Unions Choir Sings Up Storm

» 2002: Where to Now?

» Activists Notebook

» The Soapbox

» The Locker Room

» Trades Hall

» Tool Shed

» Apology to Tim Harcourt

» Tom is Gobsmacked

» Who was Gordon Freeth?

» More Compo Feedback

» Trains of Treasure

» The Great Tuckpointer Debate Revived

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