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Issue No. 208 | 13 February 2004 |
All The Way With FTA?
Interview: Trading in Principle Unions: While We Were Away Politics: Follow the Leader Bad Boss: Safety Recidivist Fingered Economics: Casualisation Shrouded In Myths History: Worker Control Harco Style Review: Other Side Of The Harbour
Ban "Ruthless" Operators - Judge Taskforce Ignores Million Dollar Rorts Musos Tune-Up for Election Rock Chubby Fingers in Timorese Pockets Aussie Sites Doing the Business TAFE Stands Over Poor Students
The Soapbox Postcard Sport Parliament
TAFE Support State Of Confusion Scambuster History Lesson Generation Angst Give Them A Medal
Labor Council of NSW |
News Chubby Fingers in Timorese Pockets
The fledgling East Timorese labour organisation, KSTL, called on the LHMU after Chubb issued dismissal notices to workers striking against unilaterally-imposed clawbacks that would reduce adult earnings to $US94 a month. Workers Online understands the LHMU and Chubb have forged a workable relationship in the Australian security industry. The dispute comes hard on the heels of Australian union involvement in a dispute late last year that saw Australian-owned Timor Aviation Services attempt to slash the earnings of Timorese airport employees. The KSTL says Chubb, East Timor, slashed the wages of workers cleaning World Bank buildings in Dili from $133 to $94 a month without any negotiation. After eight days of on-the-job resistance workers began a strike on December 3. Chubb sacked the lot and endeavoured to sign-up replacements on individual contracts. KSTL leaders have described the company's actions as "illegal", citing its failure to give the required 30-days notice and the right to strike enshrined in the new country's constitution. Even the World Bank has entered the fray, calling on Chubb to settle the dispute, according to union sources in Australia and East Timor. The KSTL has launched unjustified dismissal claims in the courts but it could be months before they are heard. The LHMU went into negotiations with Chubb this week. Unions and aid organisation, APHEDA, meanwhile, are urging supporters to back the East Timorese workers by registering protests at: http://www.apheda.org.au/campaigns/east_timor_strike/protest/index.html
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