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Issue No. 174 | 11 April 2003 |
Might Does Not Mean Right
Interview: Picking Up The Peaces Unions: The Royal Con National Focus: Around the Grounds Economics: The Secret War on Trade International: United Front History: Confessions of a Badge Collector Politics: Stalin’s Legacy Review: Such Was Not Ned’s Life Poetry: Osama's Top Recruiter Satire: Woolworths CEO Denied Bonus After Company Posts Profit
Judge Puts ‘Predator’ Before Workers Mexican Chain Gangs Win NSW Work STOP PRESS - Brewery Goes Flat Cameron: Feds More Interested in Iraq Working Hours Benefit Millions Journos Urge War Crimes Prosecutions Unions Support Displaced in Iraq
The Soapbox The Locker Room Culture Postcard
Unfair Dismissals More Angry Trots Tom's Tirade
Labor Council of NSW |
News Judge Puts ‘Predator’ Before Workers
Justice Goldring threatened PSA member, Beth Walker, with contempt of court after she indicated she would back a legal strike by workmates protesting staffing shortages. When Walker, a prosecuting lawyer, returned to the court she made it clear she did so out of respect for the victim of the sexual assault, rather than the court, drawing attention to the judge's implicit threat to scupper the prosecution. PSA spokesman, Stephen Spencer, says Goldring's actions will be referred to union lawyers. "We fully support Beth's actions," Spencer told Worker Online. "We now need formal legal advice about how far protections extend when workers are taking legal industrial action. "The law is clear on victimisation by employers but judges are not employers. Contempt of court is a serious issue for solicitors. It can mean losing their practising certificates." Last week's 24 hour DPP stoppage was supported by 300 PSA members, lawyers and clerks, up and down the state. It was most noticeable in busy courts like Sydney, Parramatta, Campbelltown and Penrith where matter had to be adjourned. In an unexpected display of solidarity, the DPP workers' action was publicly endorse by defence lawyers who said resourcing issues threatened the NSW criminal justice system. The PSA has been negotiating over DPP staff shortages, a situation conceded by the director himself, for months. The situation came to a head with last month's decision to cut 15-20 temporary workers. "The workloads are unsustainable," Spencer said. "We have situations where our members are presented with a brief at 5 oclock to be presented in court the following morning. "There must be a question mark over the standard of prosecutions in this state simply as a consequence of the case load placed on each individual."
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