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Vale: Rule of Law
As the US attack on Iraq continues, the Howard Government fires a $60 million shot at the CFMEU and bemused onlookers begin to wonder what the �Law� means any more.
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.
Cole�s Bad Medicine
Unions Condemn Protest Violence
Hospitals Pick Sweatshops Over Chain Gangs
New Faces Part of Labor �Rejuvenation�
Cobar Draws Line in Sand
Test Case � UK 26, Australia 0
Uncle Sam and the Union Busters
Calling All Artists � May Day Poster Comp
Nipping Surveillance in the Bud
Bus Drivers Back Childcare
Forced Labour Prevails Despite Sanctions
Union Gains On Display
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.
Statement on Labor's Response to War
Tom's Tantie
Shameless Extremists
Barbarians at the Gate
More War Comment
Back-Slapping Bob
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Labor Council of NSW
Vic Trades Hall Council
IT Workers Alliance
Bosswatch
Unions on LaborNET
Evatt Foundation
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News
Hospitals Pick Sweatshops Over Chain Gangs
Foreign imports of textiles used in NSW hospitals are so cheap that high-security prisoners, paid between $30 and $60 per week, have been told they can�t compete.
The NSW Health Department is under fire for cancelling the prison contract to supply it with sheets, linen and surgical gowns, preferring cheap foreign imports.
The Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union has condemned the decision, warning it will lead to the loss of 17 textile worker's jobs and severely impact on the rehabilitation of prisoners.
The long-term, maximum security prisoners are employed through the Correctional Services Industries (CSI), raising their self-esteem and providing them with skills that will assist their rehabilitation.
The textile workers employed by Bruck, the firm that currently provides the materials to the prisoners, have been told that their jobs will go if the deal stands..
TCFUA state secretary Barry Tubner says the third world imports were quoted at being 30 per cent cheaper than the material produced in jails.
"At this cost, there's no way in the world that any Australian manufacture could gain a government contract in the future," Tubner says. "If prisoners can't compete, there'
s got to be something wrong with the process."
A meeting of unions involved in the health industry has been called to discuss the issue.
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Issue 172 contents
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