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Issue No. 126 | 01 March 2002 |
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I Don�t Like Sprouts
Interview: Clean Hands Corporate: Out of Asia Unions: Tears, Real And Crocodile, At The Ansett Wake Economics: Labour�s Capital: Individual Or Collective? History: Mardi Gras: The Biggest Labour Festival? International: Driving A Hard Bargain Review: In Bed With a Sub-Machine Gun Satire: Whitlam Forgives Kerr: "At Least He Didn't Dismiss A Rape Victim" Poetry: Dear Mother
The Soapbox The Locker Room Week in Review
 More on Harry BridgesWell Done, SplitterRepeating History
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News Some Light Reflects Off Ansett
While business, politicians and media commentators bemoan the airline�s demise, Transport Workers Union secretary Tony Sheldon, points out there is an upside. While he agrees the company's failure is a "national disgrace" he argues commentators shouldn't overlook the gains wrung out of politicians and business by committed rank-and-file unionists. At least 2000 regional jobs were saved by the sale of WA-based Sky West and the fact Kendall and Hazelton continue to trade. All three subsidiaries had been earmarked for closure by the original Ansett administrators. On top, Sheldon says, every Australian whose company goes to the wall in the future will be in a better position because Government was forced to move employees up the creditors' list, and sign-off on the eight-week "community standard" redundancy entitlement. "These workers, along with National Textiles, managed to improve the entitlements situation for everyone in the country," he said. "When a company goes bust entitlements are now at the top of the list, redundancy and outstanding wages are guaranteed and there is improved access to long service and annual leave entitlements. "We are not where we should be but we are better off than we were five-and-a-half months ago thanks to strong rank and file leadership and the backing of good, strong unionists." Alternative Jobs Ansett unions are now concentrating their efforts on winning alternative jobs for members who battled so hard for survival. The TWU has written agreements with Virgin, Qantas, Australian Air Express and airport-based labour hire firms, Blue Collar and Workforce, that displaced Ansett staff will have an "absolute preference" on new positions. Representatives are meeting with the Sydney Airport Corporation today in a bid to extend that agreement. Ansett delegates, Don Cameron and Dave Lupton, told Labor Council yesterday how they had battled to keep the airline flying. They and their workmates took wage cuts and worked 12, 18 then 32-hour weeks in efforts to turn the operation around. Short weeks gave them the opportunity to hound John Howard and John Anderson during the federal election campaign, forcing entitlements up the political agenda. "We spent two weeks in a caravan outside Kirribilli House. We badgered John Howard every morning when he went for his walks," Lupton said. Both delegates singled out the MUA and CFMEU for the consistent support, physical and financial, they provided over the duration of the dispute. Personal Cost Meanwhile, HT Lee reports that flight attendant Samantha Eberzy was one of those devastated by Ansett's failure. The woman, featured on ABC's Compas program and the CFMEU's journal Unity in the build-up to last year's election, said this week the news had left her 'shattered'. I was told in January that if I did not take the redundancy package, I might get an offer in the second or third intake," she said. Eberzy was witha friend when she heard the news; her friend had gone athrough all the training ready to reurn to work. She was devatasted by the announcement. Most of her former workmates are still in shock. "They are in self-denial at the monment. The news hasn't really hit home yet. Our futures are very bleak." Eberzy blames the collapse of the deal on both the Tesna syndicate and the Hoeward Government.
Ansett Crash Sparks Re-regulation Calls Meanwhile, Labor Council is calling for the re-regulation of key sectors of the economy in the wake of Ansett's demise. The airline's failure, coming on top of the HIH collapse, has shone light on Government's hands-off approach to protecting the interests of workers, consumers and investors. The TWU has been hammering away at the issue, including making submissions to the ACCC, since Ansett's problems became apparent six months ago. Labor Council assistant secretary, Mark Lennon, says it is "irresponsible" of Government to let market forces determine the shape of key Australian services. "There is no doubt that a country like this, with its vast distances and dependence on air transport, needs an efficient, competitive airline industry. "It is a key role of Government to ensure that is provided, in everybody's interests," Lennon says.
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