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Brand Spanking
Some of the biggest names in corporate Australia are copping a spanking right now – and while the troubles are of their own making the fall-out may have broader consequences.
Interview: Generation Next
The Australian Services Union's Luke Foley is one of a group of thirty-somethings taking the reins of the union movement.
Legal: We’re All Terrorists Now
The Government’s hastily cobbled security laws are so all-encompassing that jamming the boss’s fax could see you eating porridge in Long Bay for the rest of your life, reports Noel Hester.
Unions: Holding the Baby
The concept of Carers’ Responsibilities doesn’t appear to have penetrated the ageing walls of the Australian Retailers Federation, reports Jim Marr.
International: Taking It To The Streets
In the past few days 22 million workers have taken to the streets in two countries over the global push to cut workers rights, as Andrew Casey reports.
History: Off the Wall
Creative campaign posters provide a colourful archive of worker struggles from the past, writes Neale Towart.
Economics: Financing International Development
John Langmore details the significance of the first International Conference on Financing Development held in Mexico in March.
Satire: Queen Mum's Life Tragically Cut Short
The world has been numbed by grief and shock, after Her Royal Highness the Queen Mother unexpectedly died last night at the tender age of 101.
Review: Return of The People’s Parliament
The last two weeks has seen the return of the most democratic program on the television, Big Brother. Cultural theoritian Mark Morey reports.
Poetry: Silent Night
Our resident bard, David Peetz, turns his hand to the Senate Inquiry into a Certain Maritime Incident.
 Tobacco Giant's New Smoking Gun
Evidence Proves McJobs A Reality
Workers Die Waiting For Justice
Abbot Sparks Nuclear Reaction
Sick As A Dog Or Pissed As A Parrot?
Workers’ Anthem – Hip Hop or Grunge?
DOCS Crisis – At Risk Kids Slipping Through Net
Call Centre Workers Stiffed - Survey
Broadcast Blues at SBS
South Coast Medical Centre in Della’s Sights
Sydney Take-Off For Security Campaign
Israel On Dangerous Ground
Technicians Take Aim At Canon
Intel Faces Email Censure Challenge
Megawati Reopens Marsinah Case
Activists Notebook
The Soapbox
The Politics of Unfair Dismissal
Shadow Minister for Workplace Relations Robert McClelland finally nails down the Labor line on the Abbott sackings laws.
The Locker Room
Tipping the Scales
Jim Marr argues that policing of the ten-metre rule is creating havoc for footy tipsters. Bosswatch
Stand and Deliver
It might be tough for some - but for shareholders and executives, life is just dandy. Week in Review
Stretching the Truth
The political porkie still reigns supreme on the big stage but, good news in the form of a warning, some tall tales from the past are unravelling with embarrassing consequences…
Free Trade??
Where's the Silver Tail?
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News
Call Centre Workers Stiffed - Survey
Almost half of Australia’s 220,000 call centre workers experience sub-standard wages and conditions, according to survey results released today.
The survey of 1000 workers in 88 call centres nationally found only half said they always received the minimum wage specified in the industry standards code adopted by many call centres as well as by State Governments in Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania. The Code's minimum base rate is $13.90 per hour for a customer service officer.
The survey also found that 84 percent of respondents did not receive regular ear tests, 56 percent were never consulted about how call monitoring is used by management and one third of employees reported insufficient breaks to follow up a customer's issues.
Releasing the results at a call centre conference in Brisbane today, ACTU President Sharan Burrow called on the New South Wales and Victorian Governments to follow Queensland's lead in adopting the Minimum Standards Code.
"About 70 percent of all call centre workers are employed in NSW and Victoria, but these states are dragging the chain in adopting the Minimum Standards Code already used by many private employers," Ms Burrow said.
"Call centres represent one of Australia's fastest growing yet least regulated industries, with a mainly young and female workforce who deserve decent minimum wages and conditions.
"Companies looking to invest in Australian call centres list a skilled workforce as one the key factors. In order to maintain a competitive edge in attracting new employment opportunities, government and industry must invest in quality long term, highly skilled jobs. The Minimum Standards Code helps meet that need," Ms Burrow said.
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Issue 132 contents
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