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Lights Out on The Hill
If it's any consolation, the Labor Party is not alone in tying itself into knots over what it stands for in the 21st century.
Interview: Change Agent
ALP national secretary Geoff Walsh on the changing nature of politics, the influence of the corporates and the upcoming review of the party.
Industrial: Balancing the Books
Jim Marr talks to one of the beneficiaries of the historic equal pay decision for librarians and archivists.
Unions: Breaking Out
When a bank executive stepped into the witness box to defend the gagging of a worker from talking to the media, the excuses collapsed into a sea of psycho-babble.
Politics: Pissing on the Light on the Hill
Paul Smith argues that those who don’t like the ALP's Socialist Objective should consider joining another party.
History: Of Death and Taxes
He was a conservative economist who became the darling of the Left. Neale Towart looks back on the myth and realty of James Tobin.
International: Now That's a Strike!
After one of the largest mobilisations of workers in history, Italian trade unionists are planning to do it all again.
Satire: Mugabe Voted Miss Zimbabwe: Denies Election Rigged
The newly re-elected Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, has officially been crowned Miss Zimbabwe, describing his triumph as “a victory for black fashionablism”.
Poetry: Flick Go The Branches
Once upon a time, the song “Click Go The Shears” could be heard echoing through the pubs of vibrant country towns.
Review: Red, Red Clydeside
Renowned folk singer Alistair Hulett is currently touring Australia with his new album ‘Red Clydeside’. He speaks to Nick Martin.
 NAB Gambles, Aussies Lose
Brogden's Worker Creds On The Line
Cole Cleans Up
Melbourne Faces Budget Day Gridlock
Equity Drive Gathers Steam
Unions Call for Middle East Peace
Queensland Casuals Step Forward
Worker Stood Down for Dunny Action
Zoo Workers in Wage Jungle
Indigenous Jobs on Union Agenda
Building Workers Honour Fallen Cop
Robbo and Latham to Go Three Rounds
ACT Health Workers Flex Muscles
Small Victory at Shangri-La
Casual Rights On Agenda As Full-Time Jobs Collapse
Workers Health Centre Offers Affordable Care
Activists Notebook
The Soapbox
What's Wrong With the Liberals
Liberal figure and ARM chief Greg Barnes argues that the modern Liberal Party has little to do with liberalism. Sport
When The Axe Comes Down
Phil Doyle braved the crowds at the Royal Easter Show to witness one of the giants of the wood-chopping game. Week in Review
Battle Cries
What an Easter – Sydneysiders soak up the sun saluting Sunline while, elsewhere, the dogs of war are slipping their chains. Postcard
Razor's Edge
Vince Caughley writes from Woomera where he participated in the protests over the Easter Long weekend.
Puplick's Sermon
Chikka's Legacy
Socialists in the UK
Organising Globally
Grape Disappointment
Union Resignations : Crisis or Opportunity?
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Evatt Foundation
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News
Equity Drive Gathers Steam
Workers running key local government programmes will be the next group to test pay equity principles, in the wake of last week's historic win by librarians.
Following the PSA’s landmark victory, the Municipal Employees Union (MEU) is preparing a case that should boost the wages of community development managers, running council libraries, youth and child care services and the like.
The case is likely to go before the NSW IRC in June.
The news comes as unions grapple with how the pay equity prinicple, generally accepted in theory, can be spread in practise.
"There are many, many women out there where this is still a problem," Labor Council deputy assistant secretary, Alison Peters says.
"The acid test will come when we attempt to move the principle into the private sector. From all the procedings to date, private sector employers have been the most vigorous in raising concerns about the application of pay equity."
A hint about the short-term direction of pay equity may be gleaned from the occupations covered by the original NSW inquiry which focused on librarians, outworkers, hairdressers, fish processors, nurses, clerical and childcare workers.
Last week's IRC full bench decision effectively removed librarians from that list.
For more about the victory of librarians, library technicians and archivists go to: http://workers.labor.net.au/130/b_tradeunion_librarians.html
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Issue 130 contents
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