|
Issue No. 229 | 16 July 2004 |
The Sins of Our Fathers
Interview: Power and the Passion Unions: Tackling the Heavy Hitters Industrial: Seeing the Forest For The Wood Housing: Home Truths International: Boycott Busters Economics: Ideology and Free Trade History: Long Shadow of a Forgotten Man Review: Chewing the Fat Poetry: Dear John
Noose Tightens on James Hardie Beware of Expensive Imitations
Politics The Soapbox The Locker Room Postcard
Labor Council of NSW |
News Beware of Expensive Imitations
Occupational Health & Safety Daily News, a division of Prahan-based Electronic News Group Pty Ltd, is threatening legal action against anyone who uses, reads or transmits its OH&S sheet, without paying for the privilege. OH&S News warns freeloaders will be tracked and referred to its "Data Protection Unit (DPU)". "The policy of the publisher is that all breaches must be remedied," it says. "Only the paying subscriber is entitled to read/use any part of this Bulletin. Any transgressions detected will result in an invoice of $599 for each and every breach." It promises to pursue every invoice through the courts and, if necessary, to wind up companies or bankrupt individuals. The copyright warning was issued less than a year after OH & S Daily News failed to respond to a request from Workers Online that it attribute articles pinched directly from our web pages. It's not like it took the hint and quietly ceased passing off our work as its own. On Monday, July 12, the two top articles presented to "privileged clients", came from the previous Friday's Workers Online. Attempts to speak with OH & S News boss, Ann Crowley, were unsuccessful which was a shame because we wanted to ask her ... - if her staff writes any of the newsletter themselves? - how much of each $599 payment would be returned to Workers Online or other "original" sources, such as our much-pillaged sister publication, Union Safe? - if she feels embarrassed by her company's assertion that "breach of copyright is theft"? Spot the Difference Here is the lead article from OH & S Daily News of July 12: "SYDNEY:A former Chubb Security Operations Manager claims years of bullying has left him a physical and emotional wreck. John McPhilbin has come forward as the NSW Labor Council moves to campaign against the "nightmare "of workplace bullying.In 2000 McPhilbin was allocated to Chubb 's "Project Phoenix " where he was denied appropriate pay or performance reviews for over two years. "A Chubb internal investigation supported Mr McPhilbin 's claims that that the company had acted inappropriately,describing the company 's conduct as "less than satisfactory ". "The harassment came to a head in August 2003 when McPhilbin was forced to take sick leave and,despite numerous requests for an anti-bullying program to be implemented,was finally sacked by Chubb in February of this year. Medical experts have backed McPhilbin 's claims of the physical and emotional impairment resulting from his prolonged exposure to a hostile workplace. And here's their second article: "BRISBANE:Labour hire giant Adecco faces accusations of unfair dismissal,discrimination, sexual harassment,safety shortcomings,sacking a worker with epilepsy,and losing $480,000 through management incompetence.The claims are contained in actions against the Swiss- based multi-national being tested in separate Queensland jurisdictions. "Gladstone branch manager Brian Robertson,says the company rejected his argument the man should have been transferred to light duties. "Mr Robertson alleges problems with his employer began when he was informed by Workcover Adecco could be in breach of health and safety laws because it did not have rehab officers on major sites.He claims that when he took up his problems with an Adecco director she told him,and others,that he sounded "old and grumpy and needed to get laid ". See the full, originals for free at http://workers.labor.net.au/228/
|
Search All Issues | Latest Issue | Previous Issues | Print Latest Issue |
© 1999-2002 Workers Online |
|