National Leadership
After a week of front-page political chicanery we are to get more John Howard; who at a time of his choosing will pitch for a fourth election victory by going head to head with the son of a Whitlam Minister.
History: Nest of Traitors
Rowan Cahill uncovers a ripping yarn that could redefine the way we look at Australian involvement in World War II.
Interview: A Nation of Hope
Former PM Bob Hawke bemoans the demise of industrial relations but takes heart from the prospect of peace in the Middle East
Unions: National Focus
Noel Hester reports on a soap star rebellion, Howard’s plans to renuclearise South Australia, more historical atrocities in the north, the redundancy test case plus more in the monthly national wrap.
Safety: The Shocking Truth
It’s every power worker’s worst nightmare – and it happened to Adrian Ware. In a flash of voltage, his life changed forever, as Jim Marr reports.
Tribute: A Comrade Departed
From Prime Ministers to wharfies, the labour movement paid tribute to Tas Bull this week. Jim Marr was among them.
History: Working Bees
Neale Towart looks at a group of workers who got sacked so their boss could keep making the Bomb.
Education: The Big Picture
The NTEU’s Dr Mike Donaldson and Tony Brown join all the dots in the current debate around higher eduction.
International: Static Labour
Ray Marcelo argues there’s another side to the recent furore over Telstra’s use of cheap Indian IT contractors.
Economics: Budget And Fudge It
Frank Stilwell argues that Peter Costello’s latest budget plumbs fiscal policy to new depths.
Technology: Google and Campaigning
Labourstart’s Eric Lee argues the latest weapon for campaigning could be the humble search engine.
Review: Secretary With A Difference
Looking for a new job can be hard enough, without having to worry about sadomasochistic bosses and the threat of being spanked for forgetting to cross your ‘t’s, says Tara de Boehmler.
Poetry: The Minimale
The Labor Party leadership is in the news again, inspiring our resident bard David Peetz to song
Satire: Howard Calls for Senate to be Replaced by Clap-O-Meter
John Howard released a controversial policy statement today, arguing that the Senate be abolished in favour of a device measuring noise from the gallery of the House of Representatives.
Allianz Claims on Sick and Dying
Back Pay Bill From Behind the Bars
Gloves Off for Local Voices
Stabbings Ground Job Cuts – For Now
Red Light for Cut Price Labour Hire
Sacked Workers’ Ultimate Insult
Electrolux Repays Survival With Bastardry
Survivor Urges Compo Rethink
Nurses: Bosses Should Foot Bank Fees
Telstra Workers Show Bottle
Rail Workers Telegraph Press Council Track
Call Centre Leak Shames Stellar
Malaysian Detainees Released
Western Sahara Tests UN
Activist Notebook
Politics
It’s Our Party
Long time union watcher Nicholas Way looks at the changing dynamics between the industrial and political wings of the labour movement. The Soapbox
Grass Roots
In his Maiden Speech, new MP Tony Burke argues that the ALP’s union links are nothing to be ashamed of.
Media
Opinion Forming Down Under
Evan Jones condemns the mainstream’s media coverage of the War on Iraq and the damage it is doing to our national psyche.
The Locker Room
Location, Re-Location!
It’s all fun and games until someone loses a club, writes Phil Doyle
Blowing Holes in Gittens
Negative Campaigning
Response to Gould
Aged Policy Looks Hairy
Tom's Turn
God Save Billy Deane
Solidarity Forever
More Bad Language
 |
other LaborNET sites |
 |
Labor Council of NSW
Vic Trades Hall Council
IT Workers Alliance
Bosswatch
Unions on LaborNET
Evatt Foundation
|
News
Sacked Workers’ Ultimate Insult
Optus employees whose jobs will be taken by foreign workers are being expected to train their replacements before being sacked.
The ten workers, members of Optus’ SAP IT team, have been told they will lose their performance bonuses if they don’t train the Singaporean workers who will take their jobs.
The workers, who have been with the company for six to ten years, have also been denied retraining in recent months as Optus moved to nintegrate its purchase of SingTel.
"The workers are distressed and hurt by their treatment from Optus" says Alice Salomon, Branch Organiser with the Communication, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU). "Their treatment exposes the sham of Optus as a good employer"
Optus have been coy about the employment conditions of the Singaporean workers. It is not known if they will be paid the same rates or what visas they hold.
What is known is that the Singapore SAP team are currently in Australia after being flown over for a month of "knowledge transfer".
"Is this what we have to expect for the future of work in Australia? Whenever companies are bought or merged, we lose our jobs here?," Salomon says
View entire issue - print all of the articles!
Issue 181 contents
|