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Issue No. 214 26 March 2004  
E D I T O R I A L

The Security Shift
As the War on Terror spirals out of control, the political dynamics of security are starting to shift � and those banging thee drums of war may become the unlikely casualties.

F E A T U R E S

Interview: Baby Bust
Labor's Wayne Swan argues that the plight of our aging workforce is only one side of our demographic dilemma.

Safety: Dust To Dust
Failure by authorities to police safety in the asbestos removal industry is threatening the lives of members of the public, writes Phil Doyle.

Bad Boss: Shaming in Print
Delegates from print shops around Sydney will publicly shame this month�s Bad Boss nominee with a rally outside his new Alexandria operation next Thursday.

National Focus: Work's Cripplin' Us
Noel Hester reports on a spin doctors' talkfest, workplace pain, stroppy teachers and IWD party time in the national wrap.

International: Bulk Bullies
An extraordinary five month struggle over affordable health care, by nearly 70,000 Californian supermarket workers, has just come to an end, writes Andrew Casey.

History: The Battle for Kelly's Bush
Green Bans saved a piece of bush before they saved much of the Sydney�s built environment, writes Neale Towart

Economics: Aid, Trade And Oil
Tim Anderson reveals Australia�s second betrayal Of East Timor is playing out before our eyes.

Review: The Art Of Work
Workers and westies are being celebrated as the cultural icons they are thanks to two Sydney exhibitions reminding us there is a world of art in the everyday, writes Tara de Boehmler.

Poetry: Sew His Lips Together
Wondering where the next porkie is going to come from? Resident bard David Peetz knows.

N E W S

 Terrorism: Workers In Front Line

 �Racist Throwback� on Rail Project

 Green Light for Council Code

 Underground Mines a Time Bomb

 Teachers Delete Email

 Bush Uses Burma Sweatshops

 Family Mourns Dead Worker

 Call Centre Shocker

 Bosses Touched Up With Wet Lettuce

 Andrews Throws Last Dice at CFMEU

 Smelter Contractors Clear Air

 Activists What�s On!

C O L U M N S

The Soapbox
Iraq and Your Mortgage
How high interest rates go will be a key issue in 2004 and if you are looking for a clue, there's no better place to look than the war in Iraq, writes Michael Rafferty.

Sport
Hang Onto the Day Job
Show someone else the money, says Phil Doyle.

Politics
Westie Wing
Ian West shows why Eveleigh Street�s not so far away from Macquarie Street

Postcard
Don�t Give Up the Fight
Get Up, Stand Up is the logo of choice on a popular range of subversive condoms. Ken Davis from Union Aid Abroad reports from Zimbabwe�s second city

L E T T E R S
 More On Green Bans
 But Will He Get the Trains To Run On Time?
 Uniting For Peace
 Cyberstalking
WHAT YOU CAN DO
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News

Underground Mines a Time Bomb


Excessive and illegal working hours amongst mine workers mean a major mining disaster in NSW is simply waiting to happen, the Australian Workers Union has warned.

AWU state president Mick Madden says mining companies are openly flouting laws governing hours of working underground and called on the Chief Inspector of Mines to urgently intervene.

"In recent times we have seen four dead at Parkes and another dead at Ridgeway - a sign of how dangerous underground mining really is," Madden says.

"State legislation recognises that excessive work hours put lives at risk - there is a legal limit for working underground of a maximum of eight hours per day, 48 hours per week in any consecutive seven days.

"These laws are clearly not being complied with, many miners - particularly those on individual contracts - are routinely under ground for more than 12 hours at a time.

"Because of the spread of contract labour (AWAs) and the resulting low rates of pay, workers feel they have no option other than to cop the excessive hours - regardless of the risk to their safety.

"The real villians in this story are the unscrupulous mine operators who routinely and deliberately flout the law - placing working men at risk and heightening the chance of a major mining disaster."

The AWU will officially approach the Chief Inspector of Mines to conduct a state wide audit of underground working hours and proceed with prosecutions of employers who are breaking the law.


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