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Issue No. 151 | 06 September 2002 |
Looking for the Light
Interview: Packing a Punch Bad Boss: Basher Takes Back Passage Unions: Five Star Shafting Economics: TINA � Rest In Peace International: Against Bush's "War on Terrorism" Environment: Saving the World History: A Radical Scribe Poetry: With A Little Help From My Friend Satire: Colonel Gaddafi Promotes Himself to General Review: Workplace Dictatorship
Cole Comfort: I�m Not Biased Grassroots Drives Safety Campaign Deloittes Curry Favour on Sub-Continent Rail Workers Buck Individual Contract Wage Bribe Bush Regenerators Weed Out Dodgy Deal Hairdresser Wins Fight For Wage Justice Cabin Crews Argue for �Safety in Numbers� �Slave Labour� In Insurance Industry Beattie Plods into Risky Territory
The Soapbox The Locker Room Week in Review Bosswatch Women
Charity Begins At Home
Labor Council of NSW |
News Carr to Drive Hilton Deal?
The strategy emerged after a dozen Hilton workers who will be left with just eight weeks' redundancy pay lobbied Macquarie Street residents this week. Delegation members reported strong support from Independent Clover Moore and, perhaps more importantly, an "encouraging" response from Health Minister Craig Knowles. "We want our local MPs on side and we want Bob Carr's Government to bring pressure on our employer to treat us with respect and decency," LHMU delegate and housekeeper Patrick Holmes, said. "We are asking for a ban on any NSW-sponsored events at the renovated Hilton, along with a ban on any state public servant attending a convention or conference there, until managers sit down with the union and make a fair deal." The strategy strikes at the heart of the Hilton chain's rationale for upgrading its central city operation. Hilton management announced, last week, that a massive new convention centre, aimed at pulling in a greater share of the lucrative conference market, would be a centrepiece of the $400 million redevelopment. Management shocked staff by announcing they would all be cut in November with the federal maximum redundacy payout of eight weeks. Several employees have worked at the hotel for more than 25 years. It has since emerged that four CFMEU members, employed alongside them on state-based agreements, will be entitled to 16-week redundancy settlements. Hotel workers are also upset that, at this stage, none will be offered work when the business reopens. Their first demand is a guarantee of re-employment. They are also seeking redundancy up to at least the NSW standard of 16 weeks, and for the large number of casual employees to qualify on a pro-rata basis. Holmes told Labor Council this week that the majority of his workmates had been at the Hilton for more than four years. "The company's attitude is hard to accept," he said. "After September 11, last year, when there was a downturn they asked us to help by taking long service leave and owed holidays. "Most didn't want to but agreed to help out and their thanks is to turn around and kick us in the backsides. "That money would come in very handy now."
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