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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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Vic Trades Hall Council
IT Workers Alliance
Bosswatch
Unions on LaborNET
Evatt Foundation
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News
New Faces Part of Labor ‘Rejuvenation’
A swathe of new Labor MPs with strong trade union credentials will enter the NSW Parliament after Bob Carr’s crushing state election victory.
Labor Council secretary John Robertson says the presence of a block of MPs with an understanding of modern unionism will play an important role in rejuvenating the links between the political and industrial wings of the labour movement in NSW.
Among the new Parliamentarians are former union officials: Tanya Barber (CEPU), Angela d'Amour (Nurses), Paul Macleay (PSA), Kaye Griffin (MEU) and Tony Burke (SDA).
"Labor Council congratulates Bob Carr for his victory and the new MPs from the labour movement in particular," Robertson says.
Robertson says the breakdown in relations over workers compensation shows what happens when the political wing loses touch with its industrial based.
"We don't want to see a repeat of those events and we need to take active steps to ensure that the MPs that we work with to get into Parliament have an understanding of where we are coming from."
Robertson says one of Labor Council's main priorities will be to hold information sessions for MPs and ministerial staff on the union movement's organising agenda.
"Unions have changed in fundamental ways in recent years and it's important those in Macquarie Street know where we are coming from," he says. "If we get the relationship working, I'm confident the individual issues that inevitably arise will be able to be dealt with."
Robertson says he's also looking forward to working with Industrial Relations Minister John Della Bosca, who retains the key portfolio, while picking up Information Technology and the new portfolio of Commerce.
"There is a fair bit of unfinished business including the regulation of labour hire, improved unfair dismissal laws and the review of the 1996 Industrial Relations Act."
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Issue 172 contents
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