
Issue No 15		28 May 1999

News

Paid Maternity Leave: One Step Forward - One Step Back

By Dermot Browne

The CPSU recently negotiated a groundbreaking enterprise agreement with Channel Ten which includes six weeks paid maternity leave - a first for the commercial TV industry.

However this breakthrough in the private sector contrasts dramatically with the Government sponsored erosion of paid maternity leave for women in the public sector.

Rae Anne Medforth, National Organiser with the CPSU said, 'Women employed in a growing list of Commonwealth agencies are losing access to paid maternity leave.

As new agencies like Employment National are created, the government isrefusing to apply its Maternity Leave Act to them.'

'Like others in the community, public sector workers are finding it harder to strike a balance between their increasing workloads and the needs of their families. What they want in return for doing increasingly stressful jobs is a little support and understanding from their employer.' said Ms Medforth.

The CPSU has expressed deep concern that a Federal government which positions itself as 'pro-family', actively supported Employment National as it wrangled its way out of any obligation to pay maternity leave.

'Surely this cutback is sending the wrong message to the community. If a highly competitive outfit like Channel Ten can see the benefits of paid maternity leave, why is the government phasing it out for its own staff? asked Ms Medforth.

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Issue 15 contents

Interview: Back to the Grassroots
Trade union trainer Jill Biddington looks at old problems through a new lens. Her message: talk to the workers.

Unions: TWU: The Workplace Union
Ring Tony Sheldon, State Secretary of the NSW Transport Workers Union, and if you don't get through straight away you're told it's because "I'm organising members at the moment".

History: Proud to be a Member
Retired transport workers remind young members of the struggles which produced the benefits they now enjoy.

Indigenous: Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide
Australia's treatment of its indigenous people is a problem that won't go away.

Review: Popcorn Goes for the Crunch
A Sydney production attempts to bring Ben Elton's satire of film-shplatt cinema to life.

Labour Review: What's New at the Information Centre
View the latest issue of Labour review, Labour Council's fortnightly update on industrial issues.

Health: Being Lead Astray
Workers in a range of occupations are exposed to lead and are not being made aware of the hazards

» Labor Council Unveils New Public Face

» Revealed: New, Meaner Breed of Body Hire

» Unions Wins Own Safety Prosecution

» Timor Protest Calls for UN Troops

» Pay Equity Jitters as Report Gathers Dust

» Paid Maternity Leave: One Step Forward - One Step Back

» Court Victory for PNG Workers

» First For Union With Multicultural Arts Grant

» Cleaners Clean Up In Backpay Bonanza

» Unions Join Sorry Ceremony

» Guest Report

» Sport

» Trades Hall

» Piers Watch

» Concern at Timor Attitudes

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