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Issue No. 133 | 26 April 2002 |
The Struggle Continues
Interview: If The Commission Pleases History: Protest and Celebrate Unions: A Novel Approach Industrial: Hare Tony, Hare Tony International: Never Forget Jenin Politics: Left Right Out In France Health: Delivering A Public Health Revolution Review: The Secret Life of U(nion)s Poetry: May Day, May Day
Shonky Bosses Get Contract Brush Deep Pocket Syndrome Stalks IRC Court Decision Threatens Thousands Of Jobs Safety Summit to Set Accident Targets Detention Centre Vets Song Lyrics Fat Sheep Dip Into Workers Pockets Government Con Drives SA Vehicle Blue Dead Worker�s Family Calls for Safety Crime Laws Aussie Agency Backs War Crimes Call Thumbs-up For Union Immigration Role DOCS Worker Assaulted In Courthouse Queensland Unions Move on Youth Exploitation
The Soapbox The Locker Room Bosswatch Week in Review
Gold Star Student Time for a General Strike?
Labor Council of NSW |
News Fat Sheep Dip Into Workers Pockets
Union secretary, Bill Shorten, delivered findings from the Auspoll survey to a Rural Press Club lunch in Melbourne this week. He revealed that the industry's traditional gold standard, Victoria's pot of beer, had fallen off the pace. Shearers now receive $1.78 per animal while the pot has crashed through the $2.50 barrier. Shearers say the weight and size of the sheep they confront in today's shed is significantly bigger than the animal they dealt with a few years ago. Nearly 90 percent didn't believe their income would provide them comfortable retirement incomes and 7 out of every 10 said they wouldn't encourage family or friends to join the industry. Sixty eight percent of shearers said they were being forced to travel more widely with a "very bad" impact on family lives. Shorten said survey results put the average shearer's annual income at $35,000 and that of shed hands at barely $18,000. These figures are significantly eroded by equipment and travel costs. "Our research supports ABS census data and other research that paints a picture of a widening gulf between rural and city living standards," Shorten said. Shearers nominated improved superannuation, piece rates and travel allowance as the keys to making their trade more attractive.
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