 |
Historical Revisions
It was a common refrain on Saturday night as we cried in our beers, hurled vitriol at the TV set and wondered how big the shellacking would be this time around: Howard won on a lie.
Interview: The Last Bastian
AMWU state secretary Paul Bastian has been at the centre of the three year battle to bring James Hardie to account.
Unions: High and Dry
Jim Marr unpacks the recent High Court Electrolux decision to test whether the ruling matches the media hype.
Security: Liquid Borders
The Howard Government loves to trumpet its national security credentials but a close look at its record in shipping sinks the myth argues MUA�s Zoe Reynolds.
Industrial: No Bully For You
Phil Doyle reports on how bringing dignity and respect to the workplace is undermining bullies.
History: Radical Brisbane
Radical Brisbane extends the 'Radical City' series into the Red North. Two experienced activists, academics and writers turn South East Queensland history on its head.
International: No Vacancies
More than 1400 hotel union workers, members of UNITE HERE Local 2, are on strike at four major hotels in San Francisco, California, writes Andrew Casey.
Economics: Life After Capitalism
A situation that all anarchists dream of? Michael Albert has been more than dreaming., writes Neale Towart
Technology: Cyber Winners
Labourstart's Eric Lee looks at a good news story of global online campaigning that has delivered a victory.
Poetry: Do It Yourself Poetry
Teaser: Wondering why the polls are all over the place? Ask our resident bard and psephologist.
Review: Hard Labo(u)r
The Voice of Southern Labor highlights the role music played in the 1930's US textile strikes, but more than that it provides a lucid insight into the roots of modern capitalism and some truly organic organising, writes Tara de Boehmler.
 Don�t Worry, Be Organised
Senate Faces Family Fight
Cheques Cashed In Seconds
"Undemocractic" Taskforce Court Out
Power to People: On Hold
Eyes Have It Over Lotto
Bomb in Santa�s Sack
No Picnic in Park
Smoking Loophole A Bit Rich
BlueScope Workers Take Stock
ABC Radio Clash
Melbourne Goes Global
No Justice for Joel
Mercury Falling in Hobart
Last Gasp for Monitoring
Kiddie Photos Victory
Thousands Up for Grabs
Activists What's On!
Politics
True Lies
Labor Council secretary John Robertson argues It�s Time � for an IR reality check. Parliament
The Westie Wing
Much work has been done in the past to ease the plight of clothing outworkers in New South Wales. It's time to step up the pressure, as sweatshops and clothing contract work are thriving stronger than ever, writes Ian West. The Soapbox
Who Started the Class War?
Evan Jones looks across the Australian political landscape and asks who are the real class warriors? The Locker Room
First Past The Post
Phil Doyle is coming up in class and is all the better for recent racing
Parliament
Westie Wing
Our favourite state MP returns for his monthly Macquarie Street wrap. Postcard
Positive Action
Australian unionists are helping give hope to Filipino workers living with HIV/AIDS.
Giving Your Soul Away
Invest in Dignity Part III
You Need Help
Medicare Woes
Whose Party Is It Anyway?
|
| other LaborNET sites |
|
Labor Council of NSW
Vic Trades Hall Council
IT Workers Alliance
Bosswatch
Unions on LaborNET
Evatt Foundation
|
|
|
News
Melbourne Goes Global
Acting locally and thinking globally has forced a German multi-national to back off threats against employees who supported asbestos victims.
Melbourne pump manufacturer KSB Ajax withdrew warning letters when 50 AMWU members contacted German and international unions about their plight, then walked off the job in protest.
KSB Ajax provoked the showdown when it refused workers permission to attend last month's rally calling on governments to make James Hardie compensate asbestos disease sufferers.
The Melbourne rally was one of a number timed to coincide with the company's Sydney shareholder information meeting at which executives were expected to again argue their case for having spirited billions of dollars away from the reach of dying Australians and their families.
The magnitude of James Hardie's duplicity was laid out in the report of a special commission of inquiry released the week after the capital city rallies.
That report recommended consideration of prosecutions against James Hardie chief executive officer Peter Macdonald, chief financial officer Peter Shafron, and the company itself.
AMWU members at KSB Ajax felt so strongly about James Hardie's behaviour they defied the company's instruction not to attend the rally.
When they returned to work they were threatened with legal action and issued with individual warning letters.
AMWU national president, Julius Roe, said both his union's German counterpart, IG Metal, and the IMF agreed to bring pressure on KSB Ajax in its homeland.
"It transpired there had been an asbestos scare at KSB in Melbourne and the company had refused to supply protective clothing," Roe said. "This made people doubly keen to participate in the James Hardie rally.
"Immediately after our people walked out and international unions agreed to act, KSB entered negotiations and agreed to withdraw all the warning letters."
 View entire issue - print all of the articles!
Issue 242 contents
|
