E D I T O R I A L

Unfair and Dismal
As the credibility of the Howard Government sunk under lies and conceit this week, Tony Abbott � for a moment - looked uncharacteristically subdued.

F E A T U R E S

Interview: If Not Now, When?
New Labor Council organiser Adam Kerslake talks about his plans to bring unions back to basics.

Activists: Fighting Back
Jim Marr talks to Keysar Trad, a unionist who's left the security of the Tax Office for a much bigger challenge.

Industrial: Croon And Divide
Fly a kite, obfuscate the issues, divide your opponents and continue to hammer people: the one-card-trick Howard Government�s latest kite is unfair dismissal reports Noel Hester.

Politics: Politics of Extinction
Trade unionism is a spent force; a dinosaur. This alleged truism is often heard these days, in one form or another. Rowan Cahill unpacks the lie.

History: Harry Bridges: International Labour Hero
Zoe Reynolds marks the centenary of the birth of an Australian waterfront worker who went on to lead one of America's largest unions.

International: Rats in the Ranks
The relationship between Britain�s Blair Labour Government and the union movement has hit a new low, as Andrew Casey reports.

Review: Follow The Fence, Find The Truth
Tara de Boehmler reviews a new flick that sheds light on the debate around the Stolen Generation.

Satire: Howard Screws Refugee Kids: G-G Turns Blind Eye
Startling claims that Prime Minister John Howard screwed refugee children prior to the last election, and also during a hunger strike at Woomera, have been dismissed by the Governor-General Peter Hollingworth.

Poetry: Let It Be
When a certain former Minister for Defence visited England recently, he met Sir Paul McCartney. The former Beatle thought there was something strange about him, but he didn't say anything. He decided to just Let It Be.

N E W S

Building Workers' Bid to Win Back Lives

Dog-Tired � Long Hours Leave Beagles Buggered

Home Care Workers Reject Sweat

Building Commission's Costly Spin

Caltex Asked To Explain Price Hikes

Palm Sunday Resurrected for Refugees

Dismissals: Labor Blocks The Lot

Company Collapses: Union Wants Bank Powers

Women Wanted for Wharf

Sanity Returns to the West

Big Brother Raises Hackles

Legal Action to Block Job Exports

New Dawn for Dili Workers

Councils Targeted in Contracting Campaign

CFMEU Constructs Lebanese Bridge

Israeli Aircraft Destroy Most Of Palestinian Union HQ

Activists Notebook

C O L U M N S

The Soapbox
Shorten's Suite
AWU national secretary Bill Shorten outlines his vision for unionism - from the relations with the ALP to its efforts to regain the heartland.

The Locker Room
Bunnies in the Headlights
Despite their triumphant return to the League, Souths story won't be the last example of tradition being trampled, writes Jim Marr.

Week in Review
Tories in Turmoil
With a constitutional crisis and a dangling mandate, it was compelling viewing for the Howard jeer squad.

L E T T E R S

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Home Care Workers Reject Sweat

No Sweat Shop label is part of an international campaign to back poorly paid clothing workers, both in Australia and overseas. More than 300,000 Australians work as out-workers in their homes making clothes for measly rates of pay.

In an overwhelming endorsement of a new enterprise agreement the LHMU Home Care Union members have voted to accept a package, which includes a 12 per cent wage increase, additional annual leave for weekend workers and improved union delegates' rights for LHMU activists.

The LHMU adopted a policy early last year that wherever members have to wear uniforms the union should campaign for clauses ensuring they are not produced in sweatshops.

Julia Murray, Fair Wear NSW campaign worker, says the LHMU's Home Care enterprise agreement is the first to include a No Sweat Shop label clause.

"A number of unions are pushing employers to ensure uniforms carry the No Sweat Shop label - the nurses, the flight attendants are all pushing their employers to back this campaign."

No Sweat Shop label

The No Sweat Shop label was adopted as an accreditation label 18 months ago by the Fair Wear campaign, asking major retailers to sign up to this agreement.

"Workers recognise that outworkers in the clothing industry are at the bottom of the heap in the labour market," Murray said.

" It is important to use the enterprise agreement process to show union members think beyond their own personal interests."

Robyn Jackson of Coffs Harbour, has worked in Home Care for 15 years.

She works with a variety of people who need support in their homes - some of her current clients include a 5-year-old handicapped child who needs to be fed, dressed and put in a wheelchair to go to school and a 93-year-old woman who has to be washed, fed and helped in her home.

Happy with the deal

" I think Home Care workers will be happy with this new deal, because it is a fair deal and we are not greedy people," Jackson said.

She thought the LHMU initiative to ensure her workmates had uniforms labeled as being produced under Fair Wear conditions was excellent.

Annie Owens, NSW LHMU secretary, congratulated members for supporting outworkers.

"They are among the most exploited workers in our society. The Fair Wear campaign addresses the gross exploitation of workers who make clothing at home," Owens said.

"School kids are campaigning to ensure their uniforms are not produced by sweated labour, now their parents are joining this campaign to deliver decent working conditions and fair wages to garment workers.

Use enterprise agreement

" Using the enterprise agreement talks is an effective way to respond to this injustice." For more information about the Fair Wear Campaign click here.0

For more information about the No Sweatshop Label click here.

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005