
Issue No 13		14 May 1999

Letters to the Editor

London Calling

Dear sisters and brothers

I work for the UK union UNISON and was very interested in your call centre organising special issue.

Call centres are a major growth industry in the UK and especially in the areas UNISON organises in (public services and energy companies).

We have recently produced a negotiating guide on call centres and would be happy to share this with you.

I am interested in any info on the use of call centres in public services in Australia.

A number of UK local authorities are looking at call centres (often outsourced to large IT companies) to provide services eg benefits admin. Is there any experience of this in Australia?

Also the UK health service has a medical call centre service know as NHS direct to deal with enquiries. It is run by nurses .This is being developed as an alternative to traditional doctor based services. There is union recognition in some sectors but in others there is fierce opposition.

We may be able to exchange information on some of the companies. Please get in touch if we can help,

Steven Weeks

   Contact Steven Weeks

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  Issue 13 contents

Interview: Really Caring
Sam Moait will be sending a message from the 48,000 nurses who she represents when she takes her seat at the Drug Summit

Unions: Kicking the Habit
The architect of a trade union drug and alcohol program has revealed his own battle with drugs motivated him to help other workers kick the habit.

History: Remembering BHP: Memory and Industrial Heritage
The announcement of the intended closure of BHP�s Newcastle steelworks heightened the awareness that industrial heritage is more than derelict sites of production.

Review: Ten Songs to Revolution
We ask Labor Council's resident music critic to name the ten songs that define the nineties.

International: Union Lifts Lid on Rio Tinto Shame File
The global campaign against mining giant Rio Tinto has been stepped up with a new report alleging abuses of human rights, environmental and safety standards.

» Unions Warn Carr: Bosses Can�t Veto Second Wave

» Labor Council Backs Harm Minimisation

» Aquilina Urged to Talk as Students Offered Teaching Jobs

» Cutting Through the Budget Crap

» LHMU Demands Y2K Protection for Workers

» Cops Eye Airport Beat

» Spanish Workers Warned on Tax Agents

» Unions to March on Journey of Healing on May 26

» NSW Young Labor Turns 50!