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Issue No. 136 | 17 May 2002 |
Modern Labour
Interview: Licking the Wounds Industrial: The Accidental Tourist Unions: Stars And Stripes International: The Un-Promised Land History: Mate Against Mate Politics: Reith's Gong Poetry: You've Got a Friend Review: War on Terror: Now Showing Satire: Burmese Regime Makes Genuine Commitment To Pretence Of Change
Solidarity In The Post To East Timor Workers Call Abbott On Democracy Bluff Wran Tells MPs: Talk to Unions Family First on Conference Agenda Cole Commission Declares Paper War Budget Attacks Retirement Incomes PSA Challenges Carr�s Secrecy Shield Welfare Staff Strike Out At Harrassment Fake Notes Expose Government as Tax Cheat Labor Faces Acid Test on Asylum Seekers New Project Encourages Cultural Exchanges Bush�s Western Saharan War And Oil Deal
The Soapbox The Locker Room Bosswatch Postcard Week in Review
More May Day Hate Mail What Women Want Chucking a Wobbly Is Caustic Costello the Despot of Despair? East Timor: Independent Or Mendicant?
Labor Council of NSW |
News Joy Wins For All Workers
The Federal Court of Australia ruled the ANZ Bank had breached the law by disciplining Joy Buckland for speaking to the media in her capacity as an elected trade union official. In a landmark freedom of speech test, Justice Wilcox upheld argument from the Finance Sector Union that ANZ had breached the Freedom of Association provisions of the Workplace Relations Act. The Finance Sector Union took the action on behalf of Buckland, its Padstow branch manager who is also the elected national president of the union. She was disciplined and threatened with dismissal after being quoted in the media in her capacity as FSU president. Victory For All Workers FSU national secretary Tony Beck says the decision is an important victory for all Australian workers. "The Federal Court decision reaffirms the basic right of workers to speak out on matters of industrial injustice," Beck says. "ANZ is trying to position itself as a People's Bank - it could start by treating its staff as human beings. The ANZ should offer Joy an unqualified apology." Beck says that in recent years workers have been increasingly intimidated into silence by employers invoking gagging clauses from employment contracts. "This decision will give confidence to workers, particularly elected union delegates, to speak out on behalf of their fellow workers," he says. No Choice Needed Buckland says the decision means she does not have to choose between her job and her responsibilities as an elected union official. "I believe it is totally reasonable to be a loyal employee and to speak out on behalf of my fellow workers," she says "I didn't take this action for myself, but for all Australian workers. I was not prepared to allow myself be struck dumb by my employer. "I hope this decision gives other workers the courage to stand up for their rights." Read the whole decision http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/federal_ct/2002/631.html
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