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The Hijacking of May Day
Unionists watching the shambolic and violent affair that was the M1 protest could be forgiven for wondering what has become of the traditional workers' day?
Interview: Youth Group
Federal Labor's youngest frontbencher, Nicola Roxon, on how the ALP can win back the hearts and minds of the young.
History: Back To The Future
As building unions put old animosity aside, Neale Towart looks at the history of the 'demarc' - and the steps taken to avoid them.
Industrial: On the Street
Jim Marr looks at the human cost of Treasurer Peter Costello's refusal to fund a pay rise for community workers.
Unions: The New Deal
Adam Kerslake outlines the importance of the ground-breaking pact between unions in the building and civil construction industries.
Legal: The Police State Road
Rowan Cahill argues that the Howard Government's new anti-terror laws carries echoes of a more sinister past.
Women: What Women Want
When 300 ALP women from around Australia converged on Canberra for the National Labor Women�s Conference they had more than quotas on thier minds, Alison Peters reports.
Politics: Street Party
Paul Howes looks at how May Day was celebrated around the Globe by those involved in trade unions and those who are not.
International: The Costs of War
Ariel Sharon is facing growing pressure from Israeli unions over the conduct of his war on Palestine, reports Andrew Casey.
Review: Songs of Solidarity
It had rock, grunge, pop and rap. The May Day union anthem song contest had everything, including an element of surprise thanks to competition winner Swarmy G.
Satire: Bono Satisfies World Hunger for Preachy Rockstars
U2�s lead singer Bono has launched a daring solo mission to end the world�s hunger for rock stars who use their high profiles to crap on self-righteously about charitable causes.
Poetry: Woomera
Divide and rule, that age old tactic...the lips of defence personnel inexcusably sewn to dehumanise an imaginary threat, the lives of asylum seekers incomprehensively dehumanised so as to defend a threatening image.
 Yarra Seamen Take Border Stand
War on Terror Targets Unions
Year Zero for Building Unions
Kinkos Copies Anti-Union Script
Nike Told to Shoosh on Sweatshops
Rapper Wins Wobbly Anthem Prize
Technicians Take Aim At Canon
Unions Target Labour Hire Bidding War
Rally Targets Tight-Arse Costello
Councils To Be Audited On Language Allowance
Scope For Payback In Privacy Limitations
Heavyweight Push For Medibank Private To Stay Public
What About Dad? - TWU
East Timor MPs Question Timor Gap Plan
Artists' Union Bans Voice For Peace
Activist Notebook
The Soapbox
Maurie on May Day
PSA supremo Maurie O'Sullivan had them in the palms of his hands when he delivered the traditional May Day Toast. The Locker Room
Impractical Punting
Most of life is six to five against. That is, unless you know a Packer or a Waterhouse. Phil Doyle expands. Bosswatch
Show Me The Money!
It may be May Day - but life in the banking industry has never been sweeter - unless you're in the gambling caper.
Week in Review
Two Bob Each Way
The double standards of modern life have left Jim Marr scratching his head. Tool Shed
Border Insurgent
Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson has blockaded himself into the Tool Shed this week for opening Australia's borders up to flag of convenience ships with Third World crews.
Doctors in the Bush
M1 Open Letter
Julian Online
May Day Debacle
Mothers Day Musings
Greetings From Canada
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Letters to the Editor
Mothers Day Musings
A friend who recently stayed with me on a trip to Sydney regaled me with this fabulous story about her workplace social club's Mother's Day raffle. I thought I'd share it with other WOL readers as you may appreciate her sentiments.
My friend is one of 3 women doing administrative work at an industrial manufacturing company with a workforce of about 200. The social club of the company is the pet project of the boss. The activities of the social club are determined by the boss and associated goons and funded by the workers.
The workforce was called to a general staff meeting on Tuesday morning where the General Manager made an announcement about the social club's (compulsory) Mother's Day raffle. The prizes for the raffle were proudly presented to the meeting. The first prize was an espresso coffee machine. The second prize was an iron.
My friend raised her arm and asked if there was any head gear to go with the second prize. Her suggestion that the social club might like to contact the footy show as they had been plugging head gear a fair bit lately received a sharp rebuke from the General Manager for the seemingly dissenting comment and she was asked to explain herself. She proposed that in the absence of a third prize for the raffle the social club might like to consider getting a chain - appreciating that all mothers like to be chained to the sink.
Then she added that if anyone gave her an iron for Mother's Day she would beat them about the head with it and went on to explain how she thought that sending any of her fellow workers home with an iron for Mother's Day was a cruel and unusual punishment. She explained that her enquiry about the head gear was simply motivated by her concern for the welfare of her fellow workers. Attempting to end on a positive note she proposed that the social club should ensure that there was an iron as a prize for the social club's Father's Day raffle.
Kirsten Cameron
ASU member
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Issue 134 contents
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