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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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News
Queensland Casuals Step Forward
A quarter of a million Queenslanders will get a pay increase this week as Beattie Government changes to the IR environment start filtering through.
Casuals employed under state awards will get the rises as casual loadings increase from 19 per cent to 23 per cent.
One in three Queensland workers is employed on casual terms, missing out on the job security, severance pay and various forms of leave enjoyed by permanent workers.
Queensland Council of Unions assistant secretary, Chris Barrett, reports increased employer interest in transferring workers from casual to permanent employment in the lead-up to this week's movement in loadings.
Barrett said the increased minimum loading was part of the phasing in of a landmark union court victory on casual pay rates.
"Unions are continuing to fight to improve wages and conditions for casuals," he said, "especially pursuing employers who have casuals for years on end and still deny permanent status.'
Queensland unions report a growth in membership amongst casual workers. Last year, in the state, casuals who were union members earned, on average, 16.2 percent, or $64, more than those who weren't.
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Issue 130 contents
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