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Issue No. 133 26 April 2002  
E D I T O R I A L

The Struggle Continues
While the romantic image of May Day may be one of international struggle to establish a workers paradise, the reality is far more pragmatic and practical.

F E A T U R E S

Interview: If The Commission Pleases
President Lance Wright marks the NSW Industrial Relations Commission's centenary with an exclusive interview with Workers Online.

History: Protest and Celebrate
Neale Towart scours the globe to discover the spirit of May Day online � the celebration of the eight-hour day.

Unions: A Novel Approach
A union office has been transformed into a library thanks to efforts to provide books for children in detention centres, reports Jim Marr.

Industrial: Hare Tony, Hare Tony
Close your eyes and the Mad Monk sounds like a Hare Krishna, but increasingly the world is tuning out from his mantra about IR reform, writes Noel Hester.

International: Never Forget Jenin
Trade unionist Sari Kassis argues the word 'Jenin' now defines Palestinian demands for justice.

Politics: Left Right Out In France
The results of the first round vote for the French presidency have led to mass protests and calls for national unity, Paul Howes reports.

Health: Delivering A Public Health Revolution
Zoe Reynolds travelled to Cuba to discover how Australians are backing a ground-breaking child health project.

Review: The Secret Life of U(nion)s
Tara de Boehmler stumbles upon a juicy trade union sub-plot in the popular GenX TV drama.

Poetry: May Day, May Day
Rapper Swarmy G is one of the finalists in our workers anthem comp with this ode to May Day.

N E W S

 Shonky Bosses Get Contract Brush

 Kirby Bouquet for Equal Pay

 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

 Netball Mum Bounces Back

 Aussie Agency Backs War Crimes Call

 Thumbs-up For Union Immigration Role

 May Day Rundown

 DOCS Worker Assaulted In Courthouse

 Queensland Unions Move on Youth Exploitation

 Activist Notebook

C O L U M N S

The Soapbox
A Humane Under-Belly
Presenting the annual Kingsley Laffer Lecture, Justice Michael Kirby argues that international human rights underpin Australian industrial law.

The Locker Room
The Hidden Culture of Indigenous Football
Brian McCoy argues that indigenous footballers do not just bring thier skills to the game, they bring their culture as well.

Bosswatch
Of Shares and Options
It was a week when Rio Tinto faced its shareholders, Ford faced a backlash and a bid to cap US executive salaries failed.

Week in Review
The ANZAC Spirit?
Jim Marr wonders what the ANZACs would have said about our current treatment of the homeless and needy.

L E T T E R S
 French Connection
 Gold Star Student
 Time for a General Strike?
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News

Queensland Unions Move on Youth Exploitation


Young workers have inundated a Queensland union hotline with complaints of under-payment, some being paid as little as $6 per hour.

The findings were part of a Queensland Council of Unions survey, held during a two day free "at work" advice hotline to coincide with Youth Week 2002.

Over 2,000 workers contacted the QCU during the two day period, majority via

the website www.qcu.asn.au/atwork.html

Major issues included:

* 80% of calls received were underpayment of wages - a young apprentice painter called who was receiving $6 an hour

* failure to provide Award conditions

* general unawareness of rights and entitlements - notice period for resignation, overtime payments

* unfair dismissal, superannuation and workplace health and safety

Ninety five per cent of calls received resulted in membership kits of relevant union being forwarded on.

Web Key Medium

QCU General Secretary Grace Grace says the activities targeted at young workers were an extremely valuable exercise.

"Most young workers accessed information via the web, this is our most important communication tool with this target membership group and we should use it more effectively.

"All unions should also be able to provide tailored information to young workers in their industries that goes beyond school assignment help," she says.

And what is the biggest challenge? "Union leaders understand they need to become more relevant to young workers and some young people need to understand why they should belong to unions."


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