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Issue No. 130 05 April 2002  
E D I T O R I A L

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.

F E A T U R E S

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.

N E W S

 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

C O L U M N S

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.

L E T T E R S
 Puplick's Sermon
 Chikka's Legacy
 Socialists in the UK
 Organising Globally
 Grape Disappointment
 Union Resignations : Crisis or Opportunity?
WHAT YOU CAN DO
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News

Unions Call for Middle East Peace


Unionists sympathetic to both the Palestinian and Israeli causes have backed a call for a peaceful resolution to the crisis in the Middle East.

The NSW Labor Council last night passed a resolution calling on the leaders of both sides to enter a dialogue and urged peak union bodies form Israel and Palestine to play a central role in righting the peace process.

Speaking to the resolution the CFMEU's Andrew Ferguson said the invasion of Plaestinian towns and villages and the killing of innocent people would only generate more support for suicide bombers.

In backing the resolution, the LHMU's Andrew Casey - an active member of Sydney's Jewish community - warned delegates not to view Israel as a "monolith".

Casey said there were at least six active peace groups in Israel, including an anti-conscription movement of reservists refusing to cross into the West Bank. He said many Israeli's, including high-ranking military officers, were currently in jail for their beliefs.

The full Labor Council resolution reads:

The Labor Council condemns the latest escalation of violence and war in the continuing territorial dispute between the Palestinians and Israelis.

Labor Council calls upon the Israeli Government to immediately withdraw their military forces from the territories administered by the Palestinian Authority and especially to halt military action against civilians and requests both Prime Minister Sharon and Chairman Arafat to immediately enter into dialogue to seek a lasting peace in the region. Council recognizes that this process must involve the United Nations.

Further, Labor Council calls on all sides in the conflict to agree to a cessation of all violence including acts of terrorism by suicide bombers. Further, that the peace process and mutual dialogue between the parties be re-initiated as a matter of urgency.

The Labor Council praises the people on both sides including international activists who "against the odds" are working for a peaceful resolution, based on mutual respect and reconciliation, to this crisis.

Further, we note that relations between the Histradut, the General Federation of Labour in Israel, and the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions, have collapsed as a result of the current conflict.

We urge the two trade union groupings to re-establish relationships and, in the tradition of labour solidarity, play a central role in assisting with the resolution of the current crisis in the interests of all working people in the region.

Further, this resolution be forwarded to the Israeli Government, Palestinian Authority, Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions and the General Federation of Labour in Israel.

Union Project Victim of Palestine Conflict

Meanwhile, Australia's Union Aid Abroad organisation (APHEDA) has deplored the recent destruction of the offices of its partner organisation, Ma'an Development Centre in Ramallah.

Peter Jennings, Executive Officer of APHEDA (Australian People for Health Education and Development Abroad) said two floors of the Ma'an Centre were destroyed when the Israeli military raided and set fire to the Labour centre on the third floor of the Chamber of Commerce building in central Ramallah city. The Ma'an training rooms and offices on the above floors were also destroyed. Water was cut off and the fire brigade was not allowed access to fight the fire.

Since 1989 substantial AusAID funding and donations from the Australian community have been invested in Ma'an for skills training for the Palestinian people.

"This attack by the Israeli forces along with another attack on the Al Asra' building housing local non-governmental organisations and human rights groups is a deliberate attempt by the Israeli military to undermine positive local and international contributions to peace building," Mr Jennings said..

Ma'an director, Sami Khader, called for lifting the siege on Palestinian communities.

"There is a critical need for international peace monitors and emergency assistance. We have no water, food, electricity or access to medical services," he said.

Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA, the humanitarian overseas aid arm of the Australian Trade Union Movement, assists more than 50 skills training projects in 15 countries, including projects with Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza and Lebanon.

APHEDA supports the call for international monitors and the implementation of United Nations resolutions, starting with an immediate withdrawal by the Israeli military from the territories occupied in 1967.


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