 |
The Perfect Storm
The storm clouds are gathering on the industrial horizon, an unholy trinity of a hostile legislative agenda, a radical High Court decision and emboldened employers.
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.
 Hardie Rewards Asbestos Rats
Kentucky Fried Kids
Miner Shafts Democracy
Fine Drop in Ocean of Blood
Sydney Water Outsources Brains
Head Injuries to No Injuries
Bosses Celebrate with Sack-athon
Kangaroo Strikebreakers Spotlighted
Officers Change Customs
Union Backs League
Carr Trouble At Port Botany
Pratt Backs Warwick Farm Loser
Students Fight Summer Blues
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.
Historical Reversion?
Whose prosperity?
Shop Till the Worker Drops
Unreported Views
Bob�s Silver Anniversary
Hit And Myth
|
| other LaborNET sites |
|
Labor Council of NSW
Vic Trades Hall Council
IT Workers Alliance
Bosswatch
Unions on LaborNET
Evatt Foundation
|
|
|
News
Students Fight Summer Blues
Why would you spend summer at the beach, backpacking through Asia or going to parties when you could be helping downtrodden workers?
That's the question university students vying for the chance to do union work experience as part of the "Union Summer" program are asking themselves.
Twenty of the applicants will complete a three week internship with the AMWU, The Nurses Association, ASU Services, LHMU and the TWU.
Interns learn workplace mapping, communication skills and campaigning techniques in a three day training course, before joining organisers on the job.
Union Summer co-ordinator, Amanda Tattersall, says the program gives students an organising experience which can be used to build union membership in their own workplaces.
In past programs students have been involved in pickets of anti-union employers and in the successful campaign at Sydney Casino.
"The students also take their new skills back to campus to help build the working students union network which educates students about their rights at work and about unions in general," Tattersall says.
Many participants go on to work for unions and to use their skills in community campaigns. Former interns include Trish Bradbury from the TWU, the CEPU's Alice Salomon and Dom Rowe from ASU Services.
"Union Summer gave them a start in unionism while they were doing a degree, so coming into the union movement was easy because they knew what to expect," Tattersall believes.
"With union density amongst young people at 11 percent programs like this are essential for union renewal amongst the next generation of union members."
The program, which begins in the last week of January, is in its fifth year.
A similar program begun in the US in 1995 now attracts over 1000 people a year.
Interested students can email Amanda Tattersall at [email protected] for an application form. Applications close on the 12th of November.
 View entire issue - print all of the articles!
Issue 243 contents
|
