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To the Victors The Spoils
Revelations that private American lawyers, rather than the ILO, will rewrite the labour laws of countries levelled by the American military vindicate the warnings of those concerned by US unilateralism.
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.
 Rail Chaos Looms
Electrolux Blows Fuse at Fundraiser
ACM Loosens Handcuff on Democracy
Sick Call on Mum�s Job
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
Carr Goes Private
Wages Blemish Sound Budget
Westie Takes On Westfield �Hypocrisy�
Eleventh Hour Reprieve for Women's Centre
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
In Defence of Cuba
The Story in General
Thinking of America
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News
Wages Blemish Sound Budget
Unions have welcomed the focus of the NSW Budget on the provision of services, but raised concerns about the fairness of pay for the people who will deliver them to the community.
Labor Council secretary John Robertson says the dark spot was funding for teachers, with the government making no contingency for a wage rise above three per cent already offered.
"As the Teachers Federation has already ruled out those offer, this appears to be a recipe for confrontation in our schools," Robertson says.
He says the handling of the teachers claim was important to all public sector workers, with pay rise talks rolling out across health, fire fighters, police and public servants over the next 18 months.
"The last thing we need is to see the government lock itself into an unacceptable framework for wage negotiations," Robertson says.
"The public deserves a well-resourced public sector and a Labor Government's top priority must be ensuring that public sector workers receive decent wages and conditions."
But he's welcomed the move to apply payroll tax to CEO share and option packages was an important initiative in reining in corporate excess.
"Our research shows us that the more you pay CEOs the worse a company performs, so any steps to make excessive packages less attractive are good public policy," Robertson says.
Robertson also said spending commitments in health and community services were welcome initiatives that targeted resources at those most in need.
"The 25 per cent boost in funding for DOCS is a huge step forward and improvements to nurses' career paths will keep more locally trained nurses in the system," he says.
Other budget measures that won union approval also include:
- $13 million to implement the recommendations of the Workplace Safety Summit
- 1000 public housing tenants to be put through employment training programs
- $4.6 million to employ additional fire fighters
- and measures to better resource the NSW Police Force.
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Issue 184 contents
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