Workers Online
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  Issue No 14 Official Organ of LaborNet 21 May 1999  

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News

British Union Secures Free Net Access


Britain's largest trade union, UNISON, has become the first trade union in the world to offer free Internet access to its members.

The union clinched a deal with Poptel, a co-operative Internet provider, that will be offered to UNISON's 1.3 million members.

The advance, coming as the ACTU explores a computer deal with businessman Steve Vizard, and sets a new benchmark for collective Internet access.

Labor Council secretary Michael Costa, a critic of the lack of detail in the ACTU proposal welcomed the UK as evidence of how fast this market was developing and cautioned the ACTU not to lock the trade union movement into a deal which could be world best practise.

"Hardware and Internet access are not the key; a good portal to generate useful material and e-commerce opportunities on the union movement's terms, is the strategic issue which any deal must address,

Speaking of the UK deal, UNISON general secretary Rodney Bickerstaffe says it's important for unions to stay ahead of the game by harnessing advances in communications technology for the benefit of its members.

"We are using this technology to improve the way we communicate and organise our members," Bickerstaffe says.

"The use of the web and e-mail offers trade unions and other voluntary organisations a whole new way of dealing with members."

The deal coincides with the launch of UNISON's portal, to give members a home with informative, entertaining and useful information.

Poptel founder Shaun Fenson says the deal was part of his company's commitment to helping the labour movement and non-profit sectors to take advantage of the emerging technologies.


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*    Visit the UNISON portal

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*   Issue 14 contents

In this issue
Features
*  Interview: Madame President
The new President of the NSW Legislative Council Meredith Burgmann has spent most of her life opposing authority. Now she has a chance to exercise it.
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*  Unions: The ACTU Faces the Labour Hire Challenge
The enormous growth in labour hire and contracting out employment is creating a big challenge for unions worldwide.
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*  History: The Wartime Women�s Employment Board
During World War II policy makers were forced to embraqce a unique wage-fixing method.
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*  Labour Review: What's New from the Information Centre
View the latest issue of Labour Review, Labor Council's fortnightly newsletter for unions.
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*  Review: Origlass Biographer Keeps Red Flag Flying
The self proclaimed 'ultra-democrat', Hall Greenland, has described his relationship with the Balmain legend Nick Origlass as "Freudian".
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*  International: Paddy's Payback
But for the Timorese many Australian diggers, like retired wharfie Paddy Kenneally, would have died at the hands of the Japanese during WW2. Now it's time to return the favour...
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*  Campus: Tales from the Frontline
This week's successful VSU protests seem to have killed off Kemp's ideological agenda. We go live to the protest
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News
»  Call For IR Crisis Talks as Country Conference Looms
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»  Workers Sacked for Body Hire
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»  British Union Secures Free Net Access
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»  Cab Charge Wars: SBS Workers Fight for Their Lives
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»  State Wage Case Smooth - Except for Brack
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»  FOI Loopholes Could Leave Public Servants Exposed
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»  Drug Summit Misses Tokin� Gesture
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»  Public Will Lose Again From Rail Sackings
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»  Robin Hood Strikes Again
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»  CPSU shows it cares�
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»  Unions Take Action on Timor, Stolen Generation
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Columns
»  Guest Report
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»  Sport
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»  Trades Hall
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»  Piers Watch
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Letters to the editor
»  Faction Calls Miss Point
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»  Don't Ignore the Class Divide
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»  Timor: Look at the Map!
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»  Songs of the Revolution Feedback
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