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A Call to Action
While there has been a lot of angst, anger and no shortage of tub-thumping over Simon Crean's push to cut union influence in the ALP, the end result of the Hawke-Wran review is that it is a call to action for unions to reclaim their party.
Interview: Save Our Souls
Labor's superannuation spokesman Nick Sherry expands on his recent discussion paper into the industry.
Unions: Rats With Wings
As the Cole Commission continues to sidestep safety, another Sydney building accident puts workers at risk this week, Jim Marr reports
Bad Boss: If The Boot Fits
Royal Commission favourite and S & B Industries top dog, Barbara Strong, carts off this week’s Bad Boss nomination.
History: Political Bower Birds
Rowan Cahill looks at a new resource detailing the fading history of the Communist Party of Australia
International: No More Business as Usual
Global unions are stepping up their campaign against corporate rip-offs
Corporate: The Seven Deadly Sins of Capitalism
Shann Turnbull outlines a new set of rules that should govern capital in the post-Enron environment
Industrial: Stiffed!
A backyard horror story has left funeral workers worrying about mooted changes to industry regulations, Jim Marr reports
Review: Prepare To Bend
If it’s a feel good flick that you want, Bend It Like Beckham is sure to satisfy on every level, writes Tara de Boehmler
Satire: Bush Boosts Sharemarket Confidence: Shares his Cocaine Stash
President Bush has rushed to re-establish confidence in the US market by distributing cocaine from his own Presidential stash to Wall Street.
 Mainstream Media Vacates IR
Ten Click Walker 'Unfit for Work'
Unions Push for Baby Nest
Casino Workers Overtime Jackpot
Abbott’s Task Force “Rank Hypocrisy”
Shipping Policy Blamed for Reef Damage
Dropping The Ball On Training
Combet Pushes Consultative Vehicle
Maternity Leave for Pacific Workers
Hit List of Forced Closures
Magistrate Endorses Health and Safety Rights
Contracts a Thorn in Workers' Side
Fringe Success for Workers’ Pick
Activists Notebook
Competitions
Workers on Film
Last issue we asked you for your ideas on a union film script to match Ken Loach's The Navigators. Here are the best responses. The Soapbox
Driving Together
ACTU Secretary Greg Combet argues that the Australian car industry needs a partnership between business and labour. The Locker Room
Dogs And Underdogs
Phil Doyle explains why losers are half the equation in each and every sporting contest Week in Review
Filfthy Rich and Claptrap
While Labor and the Democrats are tearing themselves to shreds, Little Lachie and Rich Ray address the main game … Bosswatch
Muddy Waters
It was a week when the Prime Minister washed his hands despite mounting evidence that the corporate world is out of control.
Fraser No Workers' Hero
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News
Dropping The Ball On Training
State training programs are already staring to close thanks to the Federal Government’s decision to withdraw funding from the successful national training program.
Industry Training Advisory Boards (ITABs) have been the major avenue through which union and employer representatives could advise government and industry on the training needs of states and territories.
Their existence has ensured national uniform training standards are maintained, industry needs are met, and that trainee qualifications are portable throughout the country.
But NSW Labor Council's Michael Gadiel says ITABs have now become the latest victims of the Government's quest to attack any organisation through which trade unions operate.
"Brendan Nelson is playing politics with the nation's training agenda in a cynical move which will erode the quality and relevance of future training programs," Gadiel says.
"Three ITABs have already had to close and more will follow because the Federal Government is abandoning its commitment to sustaining a broad based and portable system of workplace qualification," he says.
The NSW Government refused to meet the funding shortfall, which would have involved dedicating an extra $2m to the ITABs on top of the $1m it already contributes.
The situation has left many ITABs with little choice but to close their doors. However Gadiel says the union movement is committed to finding a solution to the current funding crisis and is actively looking for ways of enabling the ITABs to continue.
Some of the options include amalgamation of various industry ITABs, parred down roles, replacing staff with solo liaison officers, and forming industry training committees similar to those operating under workers compensation legislation.
But Gadiel says preservation of the current system is paramount and believes many unions will now start searching for funding from other sources.
 To read a previous Workers Online article on ITAB funding
View entire issue - print all of the articles!
Issue 147 contents
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