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Three Year Itch
The triennial ACTU Congress meeting Melbourne this week comes at the most difficult of times for the union movement, as the horror prospect of seven years of conservative government becomes an ongoing reality.
Interview: The New Deal
US union leader Amy Dean expands on her agenda to give unions a real political voice
Unions: In the Line of Hire
Unions have lobbied and negotiated in a bid to stem casualisation and insecurity. Now, Jim Marr, writes they are seeking protection through a formal Test Case.
Culture: Too Cool for the Collective?
Young people are amongst the most vulnerable in the workforce. So why aren't they joining the union, asks Carly Knowles
International: The Domino Effect
An internal struggle in the biggest and strongest industrial union in Germany IG Metall has had a devastating wave effect across not just that country, but also the rest of Europe, writes Andrew Casey.
Industrial: A Spanner in the Works
Max Ogden looks at the vexed issue of Works Councils and the differing views within the union movement to them.
National Focus: Gathering of the Tribes
Achieving a fairer society and a better working life for employees from across Australia will be key themes at the ACTU's triennial Congress meeting later this month reports Noel Hester.
History: The Welcome Nazi Tourist
Rowan Cahill looks at the role Australia's conservatives played in supporting facism in the days before World War II.
Bad Boss: Domm, Domm Turn Around
Frank Sartor might have shot through but Robert Domm still calls the IR shots at Sydney City which pretty much explains why the council is this month�s Bad Boss nominee.
Poetry: Just Move On.
Visiting bard Maurie Fairfield brightens up our page with a ditty about little white lies.
Review: Reality Bites
The workers, united, may never be defeated but if recent episodes of Channel 10 drama The Secret Life Of Us are to be believed, this is not necessarily a good thing, writes Tara de Boehmler.
 Public Backs Services Over Tax Cuts
Seafarer Awards � Full Steam Ahead
Sunnybrand Plucks Workers
Call Centre Stink Over Time in Loo
Reynolds Banks on Safety
Workers To Back League Stars
Witnesses Line Up for Test Case
Unfair Legislation Dismissal
Tax Office "Bites" Its Own
Bosses Grab Massive Pay Hikes
IR Staff Walk Over Job Cuts
Government Kills Manslaughter Bill
Rail Workers Spitting Mad
Activists Notebook
The Soapbox
Fighting Words
Craig Emerson gave what could be the most spirited Labor spray in a decade to the NSW Labor Council this month. Here it is in all its venom. Education
Out of Their Class
Phil Bradley argues that Australia's education system should not be up for negotiation in the global trade talks. The Locker Room
The ABC of Sport
Phil Doyle argues that the only way to end the corporate madness that is sport, is to give it all back to the ABC. Postcard
Locks, Stocks and Barrels
Union Aid Abroad's Peter Jennings updates on the situation in Burma, where the repression of democracy is going from bad to worse.
Tom�s Tool
Neighbourhood Watch
MUA CD Launch
Trainspotting
The Remittance Man
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News
Unfair Legislation Dismissal
Australian workers recorded a big victory this week after a strong union campaign saw the Senate reject restriction to unfair dismissal rights by 34 � 29.
The ALP, Democrats, Greens and independents combined to defeat the Federal Government's attempt to tear away the safety net for workers unfairly dismissed.
The Democrats, reflecting the concerns expressed trade union lobbying, moved a number of amendments that were rejected by the Government. These amendments sought to address concerns about how the Workplace Relations Act would have defined an employee and protections for casual workers.
"Labor senators did not support the Democrats' proposed amendments to the Bill. With or without the Democrats' amendments, Labor strongly opposed the imposition of the Howard Government's unfair dismissal system on the States," said Shadow Workplace Relations Minister Craig Emerson.
"The Workplace Relations (Termination of Employment) Bill sought to weaken the protections for working Australians against being dismissed unfairly and to take over State unfair dismissal laws."
"It is a win in a battle that is ongoing, but a win nonetheless," NSW Labor Council assistant secretary, Mark Lennon, said. "We should enjoy the success and be vigilant as we go forward."
The result was another slap in the face for industrial relations Minister Tony Abbott whose ideologically driven approach is reflected in a poor track record in getting legislation through the Upper House
"Some of his strategies aren't well thought through," says Lennon.
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Issue 191 contents
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