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| Issue No 17 |  |
11 June 1999 |
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Labour ReviewWhat's New at the Information Centre
View the latest issue of Labour Review, a summary of industrial news for trade unions.
LABOUR REVIEW, NO. 19 14 June 1999
Income Distribution Report NATSEM (National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling) reports on the changes in the living standards of children in Australia since 1982. There has been a significant levelling of the living standards of children in that period, despite the increase in two income families, which would have been expected to increase inequalities. The social security system has been significant factor, with it being the cause of a rise in the income of sole parents. The proportion of sole parent mothers entering the workforce was a significant factor in this trend. Probably the biggest losers were single income two parent families whose average income fell in this period. Also the figures don't account for the cost of housing which other research by NATSEM indicates would have a harsher effect on single income and sole parent families. (NATSEM; Income Distribution Report, issue 10, May 1999) Worker Retrenchment: Preventive Measures and Remedial Measures. A review by Christine Evans-Klock, Peggy Kelly, Peter Richards and Corinne Vargha of the range of responses in selected industrialised countries to retrenchments. These responses either seek to reduce layoffs and dismissals or to facilitate worker adjustment to new employment opportunities. European measures place more responsibility on employers to absorb more of the social costs of retrenchment, through legislative, regulative or collective bargaining procedures. Also, because of social partnerships, various approaches such as working time reduction, work flexibility, increased part time work, partial and early retirement , have been implemented. Re-employment ideas are another side of the coin. Supply side measures here include retraining, often through public sector initiatives, job search assistance schemes, and targeted approaches for specific groups of workers. Job creation schemes such as community businesses and local and regional development schemes are a potentially crucial factor on the demand side. Relevant ILO standards are included with this article. (International Labour Review; vol. 138, no. 1, 1999) The Transformation of Work and the Future of Labour Law in Europe: a Multidisciplinary Perspective. Alain Supiot discusses the future of current labour law models as we reach the end of the so-called Fordist era. "Labor law, whether national or international, is rooted in an industrial model that is currently being undermined by technological and economic changes. This article is part of a European Union discussion on the future of labour law in Europe. Supiot looks for a new concept of occupational status which in reality has been a fact of life for many workers but which hasn't been recognised by labour law or trade unions. Also the working time debate is involved, with worker time and working time the opposing concepts. Social citizenship for the twenty first century is the broad term he uses. (International Labour Review; vol. 138, no. 1, 1999) AIRC Re-affirms Intervention Power The quashing by the Australian Industrial relations Commission of an Appeal by Rio Tinto has re-affimed the Commission's right to intervene in long running industrial disputes. This came from the Huinter Valley No. 1 dispute where the CFMEU has been involved ina long battle for its members. Denial of such access to arbitration is part of the Reith plann for second wave industrial legislation. (Employee Relations Update; vol. 6, no. 123, May 31 1999) Mobile Phone Irradiation A new research project on mobile phone irradiation has been undertaken by Royal Adelaide Hospital and the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science. This follows pilot studies conducted between 1992 and 1995 which sparked some controversy. Don't hold your breath for results as completion date is November 2001. (Work Alert; no. 8, 21 May 1999) The Great Labour Movement Split in NSW The 1954 split was not simply one or two climactic moments. Every element of the labour movement was part of the action before and after the actual event. In 1994, on the fortieth anniversary of the Split, unionists and politicians remembered and discussed its meaning. Some of those stories and insights are presented here. Some of those involved were Barbara Curthoys, Laurie Short, Jim Macken, Bob Gould, Clyde Cameron and Ed Campion. (The great Labour Movement Split in NSW: Inside Stories/ edited by Bradon Ellem. Published by the Sydney branch of the Australian Society for the Study of Labour History, 1998)
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   Interview: Class ConsciousnessLong-time ALP member Michael Thomson has thrown a few grenades with a new book arguing that middle class trendies have taken over the ALP. Legal: Reith�s AWAs Dealt a BlowASU v Electrix rules that AWAs can't be a take it or leave it proposition. Unions: Survey Misses the PointLast week's attempt by the Australian newspaper to rank trade unions contained some fundamental flaws. History: The Light on the HillFifty years after his seminal address, Ben Chifley's words still ring true -- and still challenges Labor. International: Child Labour: Kerala�s RecipeOf India�s 55 million slave children, not one is to be found in the state of Kerala, in the south of the sub-continent. Review: Bazza Mckenzie Holds His OwnTony Moore on perhaps the greatest Australian movie ever made. Women: Equal Pay - We've Come A Long WayThirty years have passed since women around Australia raised their fists in victory at the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission's historic equal pay for equal work decision. Activists: Throwing Off the ChainsThirty years ago, Zelda D'Aprano was so incensed by the lack of progress in achieving pay parity that she twice chained herself to public buildings in Melbourne. Labour Review: What's New at the Information CentreView the latest issue of Labour Review, a summary of industrial news for trade unions.
Notice Board View entire latest issue
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