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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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News
Test Case – UK 26, Australia 0
Visiting UK public policy guru, Matthew Taylor, is urging Federal Government to follow Britain’s example in legislating for paid maternity leave and more family-friendly workplaces.
Blair Government legislation will, from next month, entitle women to 26 weeks paid maternity leave, as well as secure part-time employment and flexible working hours.
Taylor, director of the UK's Insitute for Public Policy Research, said the British model offered "practical examples" to other countries interested in reform.
ACTU president Sharan Burrow confirmed her organisation would seek similar rights for Australian women in a test case before the AIRC.
"The British example of 26 weeks paid maternity leave, garanteed by government, shows how far Australia lags behind the rest of the world when two-thirds of our working women have no access to paid leave at all," Burrow said.
"Our work and family test case will build on the British Government experience by developing new rights to part time work and flexible hours."
Key elements of the ACTU case include:
- extension of unpaid maternity leave to 24 months
- right of fulltime employees returning from maternity leave to a part time option
- the right to "buy" up to six weeks a year of extra annual leave through averaged salary adjustments for family requirements. Eg school holidays
- reasonable unpaid "emergency" leave for family responsibilities
- flexible start and finish times to accommodate family responsibilities
The case has received a leg-up from Sydney University research that comprehensively refutes Senator Nick Minchin's contention that paid maternity leave would be "middle class welfare".
On the contrary, the survey of over 1000 employees, found managers and professionals earning more than $40,000 a year, were most likely to benefit from existing maternity leave provisions.
Senior lecturer, Marian Baird, said the survey results showed that women earning less than $30,000 and working in hospitality, business services or farming had the most to gain from a national paid maternity leave scheme.
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Issue 172 contents
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