E D I T O R I A L

A New Mark for Labor
Few of us who care about the future of the labour movement would not admit to a surge of hope and sense of excitement following the election of Mark Latham to the federal parliamentary leadership.

F E A T U R E S

Interview: Muscling Up
Labor’s Craig Emerson discusses how the changes to his party’s leadership will impact on the industrial relations agenda.

Unions: Thinking Pink
What’s the difference between a Nursing Home and an Aged Care Facility? More than semantics, according to nurses worried Australia is woefully unprepared for the crash at the end of the baby-boom cycle, writes Jim Marr.

Bad Boss: Global Bully
If nothing else, US-based call centre giant TeleTech is consistent. After being nosed out of last year’s Bad Boss gong it is back, bigger and badder than ever in its search for Tony honours.

Unions: National Focus
In this national round up by Noel Hester, Hugh McKay tells us how the young are sticking together in a bewildered society, the gongs get handed out at the ACTU awards and there is a chance to win as a worthy wordsmith.

Economics: Friend or Flunkey?
On New Years Day as you look at the wine stains and tread on a soggy puddle on the carpet, will you look for the phone and call a cleaner? Gabrielle Meagher gives a few ethical dilemmas to confront before you make that call.

History: Young Blood
Youth is no barrier to political leadership, as the 37-year-old John Watson proved 100 years ago, writes Neale Towart.

Industrial: Living For Work?
Mark Hearn reports from a recent conference addressing the dilemma of work, citizenship and community.

International: Fighting Together
The international trade union movement is launching a Global Unions HIV/AIDS campaign to combat the spread of the virus.

Poetry: Medicare Plus Blues
Is the Government's new health plan a plus for Medicare? Asks resident bard David Peetz

Review: Human Racing
Seabiscuit is a great horse movie but more than that it serves as a powerful metaphor for the importance of living for the future while maintaining passion and compassion in the present, writes Tara de Boehmler.

N E W S

Peeking Dicks in Pickle

Lights Out on Cheap Labour

Blackout Hangs Over Sydney

Contractors Hang Up on Telstra

Uni Workers Too Smart For Minister

Employer Bullies Vie For ‘Tony’

South Coast Deal to Build Movement

TeleTech Safety Rep Vows to Fight On

Corporates Urged to Come Clean

MP Too Busy For Teachers

Bosses Block Good Shops Code

Engineers Ground Safety System

Workers Win At Safety Meet

Merger Threats

Activists Notebook

C O L U M N S

The Soapbox
Dear John
In his 500th piece of activist journalism, long-term Workers Online contributor Rowan Cahill sends a personal message to our prime Minister.

The Locker Room
Retired Hurt
Every innings comes to an end, some too soon, and others not soon enough, writes Phil Doyle.

Politics
Wedge Watch
Labor's Craig Emerson puts the spotlight on the Howard Government's politics of division.

Parliament
The Westie Wing
Workers Friend Ian West MLC is back with his monthly round-up from Macquarie Street.

L E T T E R S

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MP Too Busy For Teachers

"Diane Beamer reflects the attitude of the Carr state government - they don't care about public education and the children of New South Wales," says Bonnie Laker, a teacher at Blackwell Public School, St Clair.

The news comes as teachers across the state voted in favour of a 2-day strike on the 11 and 12 February next year.

"It is outrageous that our local member will not meet with us over the issues of teacher salaries and support for our students," says Laker. "She is meant to be our local member, listening to our concerns and advocating for us to the government."

"We face a situation in our school and across the state where support to schools and our students is being cut. Our local member refuses to speak with us about it."

Teachers have been calling for a new award with pay increases to be available from 1 January 2004.

The Teacher's Federation called on the Carr Government to ensure that the decision of the Industrial Relations Commission is fully funded from Treasury; this is to protect the already-diminished public education budget.

Teachers were hoping that the conduct of the Government's case in the Industrial Relations Commission did not denigrate the profession or undermine the value of teachers' work.

"These three demands are within the purview of the Carr Government not the Industrial Relations Commission. Government's agreement to these requests would ensure that Government provided a fair assessment of teachers' work," says Ms. Maree O'Halloran, President of the NSW Teachers Federation

"The Premier has refused to meet with the Federation to discuss these requests and the Government has continued to threaten the funding of public education including TAFE, denigrate the public education teaching profession and delay the decision."

Catholic Education Employers have come to an agreement with the Independent Education Union in the Industrial Relations Commission about the significant changes and value of teachers' work over the last decade.

"The Carr Government, by contrast, has sought by every means to lower the potential salaries award," says O'Halloran. "It has taken this course of action despite a healthy surplus of $619 million and pre-election promises not to denigrate the profession and to have a new award in place by 1 January 2004 when the current award expires."

"If the Carr Government is successful in its course of action, then the community will inevitably face larger class sizes or unqualified people in our classrooms. The Government's action has forced a greater industrial response from teachers," says O'Halloran.

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005