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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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News
Kinkos Copies Anti-Union Script
The worker who led the campaign against enforced easy-listening at office supplies retailer Kinkos is facing dismissal, while the company has targeted the CFMEU for legal harassment.
AMWU Printing Division delegate Keith Salter, who resisted company directives over which radio stations staff were allowed to listen to, was this week handed a final written warning.
That came after after a peaceful building workers protest against the US-based company's anti-union policies.
Kinkos' American managers, infused with a "boss rules" ideology, have struggled with Salter's success in unionising their Liverpool St shop. When he started work there four years ago he was the lone unionist but density in the workplace now sits at close to 100 percent.
"They had a solicitation and distribution policy which denied us the right to read or think about the union, or football or parties for that matter, at work," Salter explained.
"We beat that through a campaign of public exposure.
"Our biggest gripe now is their refusal to allow us to have meetings. If you can't do that there is not much point in being a member of a union or any other organisation."
Salter thanked CFMEU activists for occupying the shop during a peaceful protest and said his final written warning had come about because "basically, I went to join them".
"It doesn't matter what rich bastard is staring at you, you have to do what is right," he told Labor Council delegates.
Unions, who do an awful lot of printing and copying, noted the Kinkos policy and suggested it would attract ongoing public attention.
Moving support for Salter, his union, and the litigation-threatened CFMEU, Labor Council secretary John Robertson reminded delegates of the company's address - "Liverpool St, right opposite Hyde Park, you know where it is."
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Issue 134 contents
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