
Issue No 18		18 June 1999

News

Sparkies Back Fantastic Plastic

Unions have backed the use of PVC plastics in the building industry dismissing environmental concerns about its use as unsubstantiated.

The Electrical Trades Union has called for the use of PVC to be selected on merit, arguing that alternative products such as terracotta, steel and concrete represent a greater health and safety threat to workers

These products have the potential to increase back and other injuries because of their extra weight and difficulty to manoeuvre.

Greenpeace moved to have the material banned from the 2000 Olympics construction projects under the then Fahey Government. They are now seeking to have PVC products banned from all building projects.

But the ETU says that the CSIRO has twice been commissioned to examine the environmental and other issues associated with the use of PVC.

"The CSIRO has twice reported and is convinced that PVC poses no greater hazard in manufacture, construction or disposal than any other building material," ETU secretary Bernie Riordan says.

"In the absence of any evidence of environmental harm, the safety interests of our members is paramount," he says.

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Issue 18 contents

Interview: Ballot Boxing
In the midst of a key anti-union ballot, the Finance Sector Union's Geoff Derrick is learning vital lessons about life in a deregulated labour market.

Unions: Psyched Out
Intense competition in the labour market has fuelled a new renaissance in psychometric testing.

History: Rhetoric and Reality
This month will be a big one for Labor Party rhetoric about the "light on the hill".

International: ILO Adopts Child Labor Convention
Child slavery, prostitution and hazardous work have been outlawed in Geneva

Legal: Competing Agendas in Enterprise Bargaining
Recent developments show unions how they can turn the Reith laws on their head.

Review: Sister Power
A new book offers practical help for women who want to be heard.

» Carers Crisis: Victims Turned Away

» Farmers Back Social Audit

» Holiday Bugs: Government Asked to Act on Y2K

» Oakdale Miners Take Message to Canberra

» United Front for Public Sector Pay

» Talking Books Silenced

» Upper House Reform: Lest We Forget Greiner

» Pregnancy Bunfight Looms

» Horta Launches East Timor Mercy Ship

» Sparkies Back Fantastic Plastic

» APHEDA Helps Beat The Blockade

» Torture Support Day, June 26

» Guest Report

» Sport

» Trades Hall

» Piers Watch

» Chardonnay Debate Lacks Class

» GST Rally, Town Hall, Monday June 21

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