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Smells Like Community Spirit
Over the past view weeks Labor Council has been undertaking some focus groups to gauge community perceptions to unions. The result is a massive wake up call for those of us who want a union culture to survive into the 21st century.
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.
 Iranians Expelled Over Teen Affair
IR Promises Crash on Motorway
Telstra Pigs Out on Indian
Teachers Fight Casual Attitude
Superstars in EBA Showdown
Sink One with Billy
Abbott Asked to Consider Honesty
Printer�s Win Drink Stink
WorkCover To Take Robbery Seriously
Power Blackouts Expose Jobs Shortage
Qantas Woes Set To Soar
Sports Workers Walk
Bigger Money Player Equals Job Cuts
Indonesian Human Rights Appeal
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.
A Nice Letter
Tom�s History Of The World
Tony Is A Tool
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IT Workers Alliance
Bosswatch
Unions on LaborNET
Evatt Foundation
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News
Sports Workers Walk
Sports and Recreation workers have gone on strike over the failure of the Department to effectively negotiate a new award to replace the 1994 agreement.
Program officers, the staff who organise and supervise activities at 11 centres around the state, overwhelmingly supported the strike - rejecting a recommendation from the NSW Industrial Relations Commission to cease industrial action.
The program officers, members of the Public Service Association, have asked for a number of improvements and protections. The four main items on the table include maintenance of the current salary structure, limits on the number of nights rostered, two weeks extra leave to compensate for the hours worked, and maintenance of teacher qualifications.
The claim for extra leave was based on a survey showing Program Officers worked 64 hours per week, consisting of 46 hours teaching and 18 hours in residential support. The agreement specifies a 35 hour standard. The extra hours are only partially covered in the current 6 weeks leave and their allowance.
After a number of delays the Department of Sport and Recreation has made a counter claim that abolishes teacher qualifications, reduces leave by one week, only partially restricts night rostering, and reduces salaries.
Under the Department's salary proposal some staff stand to lose $17,000 per year.
Workers are located at 11 centres across the state, including; Berry, Borambola, Broken Bay, Jindabyne, Lake Ainsworth, Lake Burrendong, Lake Keepit, Milson Island, Myuna Bay, Point Wolstoncroft, and Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation.
After the industrial action the PSA and the Department of Sport and Recreation have been meeting in an effort to resolve the dispute.
"If things break down we'll have to consider our options about further industrial action," says PSA industrial officer Anthony D'Adam.
The PSA has called upon the Minister, Sandra Nori, to instruct her Department that qualifications are not negotiable.
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Issue 193 contents
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