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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.
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.
 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!
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
More On Green Bans
But Will He Get the Trains To Run On Time?
Uniting For Peace
Cyberstalking
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News
Call Centre Shocker
A recent power surge at the Telstra Chermside facility saw Nearly 100 Telstra workers either injured or taken to hospital by a fleet of ambulances.
The incident is not an isolated one according to Community and Public Sector Union Regional Secretary Bill Marklew.
"Similar episodes have happened in the same workplace, as well as in other call centres."
The power surge caused the Telstra workers to suffer the symptoms of Acoustic Shock - a response to a sudden loud sound heard from handsets and headsets of telephones. The symptoms include nausea, vertigo and hearing problems.
The matter of acoustic Shock has a long history at Chermside according to CPSU national organiser Trevor Veenendaal.
As recently as the 18th of November Telstra had assured the union that the risk of Acoustic shock was under control following several incidents last year.
The CPSU has demanded a complete, independent inquiry into Telstra's safety standards throughout its entire call centre network.
"Staff have a right to expect a safe working environment," says Marklew. "They also have a right to expect that Telstra will take swift action on this matter. They want to know how a serious incident like this could have happened when the problem has been known about for a year."
"While we welcome Telstra's decision to investigate yesterday's incident, we want their assurance that the inquiry will be independent and that the staff's health and safety will not be further compromised by delays."
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Issue 214 contents
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