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Flexing the Muscles
If there was an over-riding mood from this week’s ACTU Congress it was one of pent-up energy, as if the time was fast approaching where the sleeping giant that is the Australian workforce must wake from its slumber.
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.
 Kids Win From Building Stoush
Airline Bombs Staff
Socialists Give Banks a Kicking
Workers Bag Leave Entitlements
Bosses Keep the Merc
Canberra Off The Rails
Australia in Terrorists’ Sights
Labor Pledges Taskforce Fight
Unions Go Back To School
Yumaro Shows The Way To Go
Rheem Taps into Lock Out Pattern
100 Stranded in Bass Strait
Call Centre Workers Cash In
If It Looks Like A Duck...
Stellar Dials an Ernie
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.
Misplaced Trust
A Harsh Lesson
Axe The Max
India On A Dollar A Day
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Labor Council of NSW
Vic Trades Hall Council
IT Workers Alliance
Bosswatch
Unions on LaborNET
Evatt Foundation
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News
Australia in Terrorists’ Sights
John Howard’s support for US foreign policy has Australia rated a "medium-high" risk of being attacked by international terrorists.
The country comes in at 38 on a list of 186 countries assessed by the World Markets Research Centre, London-based analysts whose clients include governments and multinational corporations.
Neighbour and longtime ally, New Zealand, was ranked "low risk" and filled 125th place on the Centre's list of nations vulnerable to terrorist attack.
"Australia has no history of domestic terrorism, but gains a medium-high rating because of the potential threat of a large scale attack prompted by its high-profile involvement in the war on terror," research director, Guy Dunn, told Workers Online from London.
Although the possibility could never be discounted, he said, "New Zealand is unlikely to be at risk from a terrorist attack, despite its close affiliation with Australia".
Authors of the study say the US is "highly likely" to face another terrorist assault within the coming 12 months.
They ranked Washington's highest-profile ally in the war against Iraq, Britain, the world's 10th most vulnerable target.
Similar-sized European powers, France and Germany, both of which opposed the Iraq war, are ranked 23rd and 41st.
Each country was scored out of 10 over five criteria - the motivation, capacity and presence of terrorist groups; potential damage which could be inflicted; and the effectiveness of counter-terrorism forces.
Colombia, Israel and Pakistan filled the first three positions on the ladder with the US occupying the fourth rung.
Colombia earned its pre-eminence as home to extremely active right wing paramilitaries and left-wing guerilla groups.
"Military solutions and attempts at peace negotiations have had, and will continue to have, little effect in the short term," the report warns.
The full Global Terror Index 2003/4 study can be purchased from World Markets Research Centre for $2300, the principal reason Workers Online chose, instead, to interview one or the researchers.
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Issue 192 contents
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