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Issue No. 138 | 31 May 2002 |
Demonising Unions
Interview: The Star Chamber Politics: The Odd Couple Tribute: I-Conned Media: Audiences Before Politics International: The Off-Side Rule Economics: The Fake Persuaders History: Terror Tactics Poetry: Food, Modified Food Review: Spiderman Spins Out the US Satire: England's World Cup Disaster: Star Hooligan Breaks Foot
Cole Suffers Credibility Crisis Councils Armed To Drown Sweatshops Bracks Crew Not Family Friendly Waterfront Truth One Step Closer Speedy Flow-On for NSW Workers Star Sin-Binning Prompts Inquiry Call New Chief Puts ABC Back In The Picture Gravy Train Gets Richer For Max and Mates Reward For Delegate Who Stood Up Casino Workers Hit Mat Leave Jackpot Drug Haul Sparks Security Warning East Timor�s MPs Take Australia On ACTU Officials Denied Visas Into Fiji Commemorate 100 Years of Votes for Women
The Soapbox The Locker Room Week in Review Bosswatch Postcard
In Defence of Latham Swans A Pathetic Con-Job
Labor Council of NSW |
News Miners Win Record Payouts
CFMEU Miners Union president Tony Maher made the call just hours after mining giant Rio Tinto agreed to split $25 million amongst 190 mineworkers it sacked in 1998 and 1999. The union claimed Rio Tinto had introduced a �so-called merit-based system� to victimise union activists at Mt Thorley and Hunter Valley No 1 mines. The CFMEU won three previous actions against the multi-national but been forced back into the courts by repeated appeals. Maher called it "plainly ridiculous" for victimised workers to have to wait so long for an outcome. "Three of our members have died since winning the first case and, that's an indictment on the Federal Government's unfair dismissal laws," he said.
"Rio Tinto used its enormous wealth to keep this matter before the courts while miners, their families and their communities struggled to survive. "If unfair dismissal laws are to mean anything they must offer justice within a reasonable timeframe. "It was fortunate we had the resources and determination to wait Rio Tinto out. A lot of worker organisations are not in that position.' Today's settlement came after years of industrial, political, legal and corporate campaigning. Miners took their cases to shareholders in London, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane - at one point inciting a near revolt against the top table. The settlement applies to 108 miners sacked at the Hunter Valley No 1 mine on October 20, 1998, and 82 miners dismissed from Mt Thorley on November 17, 1999. Rio Tinto will also offer sacked miners preference on 20 available positions in NSW. A hearing into the sacking of workers from the Blair Athol mine in Queensland continues.
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