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Shock and Awe
And so it has begun, the cartoon caricatures are locked in; the cowboy and the tyrant his father created, locked in an endgame that will trash more than the infrastructure of Iraq.
Poetry: If I Were a Rich Man
Through a distortion in the time-space continuum, we have found a recording showing how people a few years into the future will deal with health care.
Interview: League of Nations
ICFTU general secretary Guy Ryder on the war, core labour standards and why Australia is an international pariah.
Industrial: 20/20 Hindsight
A retrospective analysis of the Accord is needed to help develop future strategies. Is it worth trying again? And if so, what would need to be different?
Organising: On The Buses
A new rank and file leadership team is standing up for the harried bus driver in the run-up to the NSW State Election
Unions: National Focus
A gaze around the country reveals some inspiring and innovative organising initiatives, a fruitful connection with young workers in South Australia and some typically robust industrial campaigns reports Noel Hester.
History: The Banner Room
On the eve of it�s refurbishment, Jim Marr ventures into one of Trades Hall�s best kept secrets; the room that houses relics of labour�s halcyon days.
International: The Slaughter Continues
Chilling new statistics from Colombia's main trade union confederation CUT: nine trade unionists assassinated in the first two months of this year.
Legal: A Legal Case For War?
Aaron Magner looks at the legal implications of the crusade of the Coalition of the Willing
Culture: Singing For The People
When there�s a struggle for social justice, when a war is brewing or rights are being eroded, the first ones to pen, paper and protest are often the folkwriters.
Review: The Hours
On the eve of International Women�s Day Tara de Boehmler follows the tale of three women who would rather choose death than a life devoid of personal choice.
Poetry: I Wanna Bomb Saddam
Scarier than Star Wars, the latest weapon to be deployed in the battle for Iraq is the Singing Dubya.
Satire: Diuretic Makes Warne's Excuses Look Thin
Australian cricketer Shane Warne today admitted that he was still feeling the after effects of the diuretic he tested positive to.
 Peace Marchers Warn Off Provocateurs
Monk Ignores Job Losses
Trade Warriors Turn to Water
Gap, Target Pay Sweatshop Dues
Firies Douse Insurance Blaze
Kennett Delivers $2m Gas Bill
Vials Sparks Security Scare
Buggers Hit Six
Rail Towns Win Jobs Reprieve
Telstra Dotty Over Witching Hour
Crow Eaters Choke on Waste
CSL Boss in Political Pickle
Lawyers Push Super Class Action
Fair Clothing Activists Take Stock
Activists Notebook
The Soapbox
Workers Friend
Shock jock Alan Jones snubbed his Liberal mates to bucket the Cole Royal Commission and launch Jim Marr's book The Locker Room
Boer Bore Boring
In the face of oppression Phil Doyle falls asleep in front of the TV Guest Report
Dead Labor
The Hawke and Keating legacy is John Howard, Leonie Bronstein argues. Seduction
Hands Off, Tony
John Della Bosca argues the NSW Industrial Relations System gives his State a competitive advantage.
Bosswatch
Groundhog Day
Another year, another round of corporate excess. Bosswatch returns from its summer slumber to find the same old dogs up to the same tricks.
I Miss Unions
Viva Le Imperialists!
The First Casualty
Righteous indignation
Dead Right
Calling All Libs
If George W Bush was an Australian Citizen...
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Letters to the Editor
I Miss Unions
Just a little thought about war, democracy and unions that I'd like to share.
John Howard introduced the G.S.T on an election result of 51% a "clear mandate from the people" he said at the time.
About 70% of the population are currently opposed to the coming war, thousands protest almost daily but all this is ignored. So why is this not considered a "mandate from the people"? We all know the answer to that one. What people say dosn't count after you win power.
So how do the people make Canberra listen to them, the ballot box? No. The answer is unions.
If this country was still unionised to the extent it was in the past, the collective voice of Australians would be heard in a way that would actully hurt Canberra, and force them to pay attention. There would be so many strikes and work stoppages that they would have to listen or face personal ruin.
The last line in the defence of a democracy is not the army, or the ballot box, or the individual. Instead it is when many individuals form a union and through that union fight in a way that they would be unable to on their own.
A Union in this case can be seen as acting as the conscience of the democratic system.
If my theory is correct then I guess that means as unions lose more of their power and ability to effect change so to will the responsibilities of democracy towards its constituants wane. If you look around you'll see some truth to what I say.
I miss unions
I miss being able to make politicians listen
Guess I'll be missing democracy one day too!
P.S I'm a casual worker and even mentioning the word "union" is a sackable offence where I work. (true!!)
Suppose that means I'm already missing out on democracy.
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Issue 171 contents
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