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Issue No. 184 | 27 June 2003 |
To the Victors The Spoils
History: Nest of Traitors Interview: A Nation of Hope Unions: National Focus Safety: The Shocking Truth Tribute: A Comrade Departed History: Working Bees Education: The Big Picture International: Static Labour Economics: Budget And Fudge It Technology: Google and Campaigning Review: Secretary With A Difference Poetry: The Minimale Satire: Howard Calls for Senate to be Replaced by Clap-O-Meter
Electrolux Blows Fuse at Fundraiser ACM Loosens Handcuff on Democracy Now For Industrial Shock and Awe Brian Miller � Working Class Hero Dynamite: Howard Handout for Rorters Family Case to Nurture Mothers Militants Lock Out Another 600 Tipping the Turtle � Fijian Style Westie Takes On Westfield �Hypocrisy� Eleventh Hour Reprieve for Women's Centre
Politics The Soapbox Media The Locker Room
The Story in General Thinking of America
Labor Council of NSW |
News Now For Industrial Shock and Awe
General secretary of Union Network International Phillip Jennings this week called on the International Labour Organisation to explain how private lawyers had taken control of the legal process and to ensure a similar process does not occur in Iraq. The firm, Dechert, supplies one of the lead lawyesr to the Afghanistan Transitional Commercial Law Project, which was initiated by the Center for International Management Education and the American Bar Association. Dechert prides itself on its anti-union credentials, crowing on its website that: We help employers maintain a union-free environment, conduct collective bargaining negotiations, secure injunctive relief from strikes, boycotts, and mass picketing, and develop compliance programs. We regularly handle labor arbitrations and defend employers facing unfair labor practice charges. It also proudly cites its work representing Big Tobacco, overturning a $145 punitive damages claim in a Florida case that puts at risk all damages actions against tobacco companies. Speaking to the ILO Conference in Geneva, Jennings also raised concerns the World Bank was trying to promote investment in Afghanistan by slashing the minimum wage by 10 percent. "In both nations we want to see the emergence of a free and independent trade union movement," he said. Federal ALP IR spokesman Robert McClelland expressed concern that Afghanistan and potentially Iraq might end up with labour laws that fall short of international standards and contain no effective right to organise and bargain collectively. "Such rights have always been essential to enable working people to raise and maintain their living standards at dignified levels," McClelland says. McClelland says Australia, as a long-standing member of the ILO, should be seeking that the ILO plays a role in assisting these nations, which are emerging from the trauma of war, to develop labour laws that meet internationally agreed minimum standards. He says it was a disgrace the Howard Government had all but ignored the ILO for seven years, and would be raising the matter of Afghanistan and Iraq with Workplace Relations Minister Tony Abbott and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer through the Parliament.
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