E D I T O R I A L

The Dead Couple
The message from the ACTU�s Future of Work research is that the two theoretical frameworks for understanding work in the 20th century - �Harvester Man� and �TINA� are both dead.

F E A T U R E S

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.

N E W S

Air NZ Grounds Mums and Kids

Unions to End Casual Affair

Carr Faces Acid On Job Security

Abbott Prescribes Dole for Mother of Six

Cole Batting Zero from Thirty Two

Labor Insider Makes Mess

Dust Busters � MUA Sails into Allianz Fight

Security Forces Come Out Firing

Women�s Centre Faces Ideological Jihad

Varsity Casuals Win Wage Increase

Fortress NSW Protects BHP Workers

Pharmacists Seek Jobs Medicine

Iranian Textile Workers Sewn Up

Unique Union �Uni Partnership

Activists Notebook

C O L U M N S

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

L E T T E R S

WHAT YOU CAN DO

	About Workers Online
	Latest Issue
	Print Latest Issue
	Previous Issues
	Advanced Search

other LaborNET sites

Labor Council of NSW
Vic Trades Hall Council
IT Workers Alliance
Bosswatch
Unions on LaborNET
Evatt Foundation

Air NZ Grounds Mums and Kids

One, ticketing agent Carolyn Dean, is so determined to work hours that allow her to look after 14 month-old, Jesse, she will see the company in the federal Industrial Relations Commission on Monday.

The 31-year-old Maroubra mother claims Air New Zealand have discriminated against her by denying part-time work until Jesse is two by rejecting reasonable attempts to broker a compromise.

Dean's union, the ASU, says she was initially refused family-friendly hours on the grounds that no part-time work was available. Then the company advertised a part-time position but told her she couldn't have it for "business reasons".

Since then a part-time male workmate, who has put himself through a TAFE ticketing course, has offered to swap shifts to cover Dean's fulltime position on the company's 4.30am - 8.30pm roster, and 35 fellow employees have signed a petition supporting her claim. But Air New Zealand has dug its heels in.

Dean, who returned from a year's maternity leave in March, said she had requested part-time hours before leaving but the manager she dealt with has since left the company.

"The crunch of it is I want more time with my little boy," she said. "And I don't think I should be penalised long-term.

"They have offered me a permanent part-time position but I don't think that is good enough. After eight years loyal service I would have thought they would have been a little more reasonable.

"Three others went on maternity leave within six months of me going off and none of them have returned because the place is not family friendly."

Dean said one of those three had offered to job-share with her but Air New Zealand turned the request down and that woman is still at home.

ASU official, Leonie Sharp, said returning mothers were entitled to part-time hours under their certified agreement but the relevant clause was qualified by requiring the employer's agreement.

"They are acting in accordance with the letter of the agreement but morally and ethically they are being unreasonable," Sharp said.

Workers Online understands Air New Zealand is being taken before the anti-discrimination board by another mother, whilst a manager is seeking legal advice after being made redundant, last week, just before she was due to return from maternity leave.

  View entire issue - print all of the articles!

  Issue 182 contents

© 1999-2002 Workers Online
Workers Online is a resource for the Labour movement
provided by the Labor Council of NSW
URL: http://workers.labor.net.au/182/news1_Mums.html
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005