 |
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
Call Centre Leak Shames Stellar
The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has helped a heavily pregnant call centre worker get reimbursed for pay docked because she was taking too many toilet breaks.
Diana Ivanovski said she protested to management but her complaints fell on deaf ears.
"They made a decision that, regardless of my condition, I would be docked leave without pay. I had to log off [the computer] when I went to the toilet and then log back on again when I came back so they could monitor it," she said.
"They have said 'we shouldn't have done that', but it's too late now - the damage is done. It placed a lot of stress on me and my family," said Diana.
Diana contacted the CPSU, who chased Stellar for the $100 docked from her wages over two months.
But CPSU spokeswoman Larissa Andelman said that it is more than just the money that is at stake, that people should be outraged by the firm's behaviour.
"People like Diana work hard and do a good job for these companies. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect," she said.
"What happened to her is all too common in the call-centre industry,"
Ms Andelman said the CPSU is working closely with call-centre staff to expose "these appalling management practices" and shame employers into making the industry a better place to work.
"We applaud Diana's courageous decision to speak out. The more often these practices are exposed, the less likely they will happen in the future," she said.
Mrs Ivanovski wants a written apology from Stellar, which operates a call centre service for Telstra, before she returns to work. She said she was made to feel guilty for being pregnant.
"In the job you talk constantly on the phone and your voice dries up and in my condition you drink because the baby needs water. But I felt that I couldn't drink at work because I would have to go to the toilet," said Mrs Ivanovski.
Stellar spokesman John Zisis told Sydney's Daily Telegraph newspaper that the company had made a mistake. "The human resource people said it was an error and an apology was made," he said.
 View entire issue - print all of the articles!
Issue 181 contents
|
