 |
Cry Freedom
If there's a common thread running through this week's issue, it's the continuing crisis faced by workers around the globe confronting the practical reality of Free Trade.
Interview: Cross Wires
Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance chief Chris Warren surveys the fluid state of the Australian media.
International: Two Tribes
As the Middle East burns, Andrew Casey shines a light into one of the world's darkest corners.
Activists: Beneath the Veil
A young Afghani woman has travelled to Australia to put a human face on the suffering of her people - and her gender.
Unions: Terror Australis
When push comes to shove, it appears the Howard Government is more scared of the Maritime Union than Osama Bin Laden, Jim Marr reports.
History: A Labor Footnote To The Royal Funeral
Stephen Holt reports that an intriguing Australian connection has been overlooked amidst the supposedly blanket media coverage of the end of the Bowes Lyon era.
Economics: Private Affluence, Public Rip-Off
New Labour's enthusiasm for business is matched only by its lack of business sense, as the private finance fiasco shows.
Review: The Great Hall of the People
In an extract from the latest issue of Labor Essays, the ARM's Richard Fidler looks at the symbolism behind the Republican debate.
Poetry: Waiting for the Living Wage
The Living Wage Case was heard this week. The workers� voices in this poem have been adapted from the evidence presented by low wage earners to the living wage case.
Satire: Israel Recruits NAB To Close West Bank
Israeli security forces have successfully enlisted the expert help of the National Australia Bank to close down the West Bank.
 Baby Company Punts Netball Mum
Dairy Workers Win Global Breakthrough
Treasury Modelling Backs ACTU Claim
Bank Nabs Huge Sales Targets
Come Clean � Insurance Giants Challenged
May Day Jam and Toast
Job Security Win For Cabin Crew
Workers Gear-up For Pollution Fight
Shuffling The Deck On The Yarra
New Push On Workplace Crime
Super Child Care Win
Doubts Over Ettalong Wharf Funding
The Sane Monk Stands Down
Fabians Debate Refugees
Activists Notebook
The Soapbox
Unions and the Web � Where to Now?
Peter Lewis argues the time has come to revisit how trade unions interact with workers and how the Web could be the catalyst for such a change. The Locker Room
Free To Where?
Parents with kiddies who play a bit of sport will have noticed the escalating costs associated with their kids being involved in sport.
Week in Review
The Joys of the Chop
Workers come and workers go, right? Well, it�s the way of the world but while some get stiffed, others are stuffed with obscene amounts �
Labor and Unions - What About the Workers?
A Voice for the Shareholders
Noses in the Trough
Bugger Off
Memo: Carmen Lawrence
Police: Make the Boss a Woman
Baby Faced Brogden
Workers Online - Aoteroa
|
| other LaborNET sites |
|
Labor Council of NSW
Vic Trades Hall Council
IT Workers Alliance
Bosswatch
Unions on LaborNET
Evatt Foundation
|
|
|
News
Baby Company Punts Netball Mum
A mother of four who wanted every second Saturday off work to take her daughters to netball will this week fight a groundbreaking test case against her employer, a babyware retailer.
Janette Wynbergen will argue that she was wrongfully dismissed by BabyCo, who sacked her after changing rosters and forcing her to work every weekend.
The change in rosters came despite an earlier agreement that Mrs Wynbergen have Saturdays off to care for her children. She also offered a compromise where she would work every other Saturday.
She was later dismissed on the grounds that she was unable to meet her roster, even though managers were required to work only every second weekend.
The case will be heard on Tuesday, April 16, in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission before Deputy President Peter Sams.
Important Test of Carers' Rights.
The Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Union, taking the action on behalf of the woman, regards the case as a litmus test of recent policy and legislative changes recognising carers' responsibilities.
SDA NSW secretary Greg Donnelly says if it wasn't so serious it would be a joke. "BabyCo sacking a female employee who is trying to meet her responsibilities as a mother."
He says new carers laws set down responsibilities for employers to take into account the family obligations workers may face.
"It's 2002 and we are meant to be living in an age of enlightened employers who pride themselves on being family friendly," Donnelly says. "Not at BabyCo though. At BabyCo the master servant relationship is alive and well."
The Labor Council of NSW will intervene in the case in support of the SDA.
 View entire issue - print all of the articles!
Issue 131 contents
|
