 |
What�s In a Name?
McDonalds is doing it, IAG has done it, James Hardie desperately needs to do it � and now the Labor Council of NSW is doing it, re-working its brand to meet the changing demands of their markets.
Interview: The Reich Stuff
Robert Reich has led the debate on the future of work � both as an academic and politician. Now he�s on his way to Australia to help NSW unions push the envelope.
Economics: Crime and Punishment
Mark Findlay argues that the present psychological approach to prison programs is increasing the likelihood of re-offending and the threat to community safety.
Environment: Beyond The Wedge
Whether the great forestry divide can ever be overcome or whether it is best sidestepped for the sake of unity and sustainability in other areas is up for debate, writes Tara de Boehmler.
International: The End Of The Lucky Country
Linda Weiss, Elizabeth Thurbon and John Mathews show us How To Kill A Country
Safety: Tests Fail Tests
Nick Lewocki from the RTBU lifts the lid on the shonky science behind RailCorp testing
Politics: Labo(u)r Day
John Robertson lets fly at this years Labor Day dinner
Human Rights: Arabian Lights
Tim Brunero reports on how a Sydney sparky took on the Taliban and lived to tell the tale.
History: Labour's Titan
Percy Brookfield was a big man who was at the heart of the trade union struggles that made Broken Hill a quintessential union town writes Neale Towart.
Review: Foxy Fiasco
To find out who is outfoxing who, read Tara de Boehmler's biased review of a subjective documentary about corrupt journalism.
Poetry: Then I Saw The Light
Brothers and sisters! Praise the Lord! Brother George has saved the White House from an invasion by infidels, writes resident bard David Peetz.
Unions Dump Labor
Shearers Brush Woolly Mammoths
Girls Should Be Short Changed
Sydney Turns Down Volume
Minister Rides Collie
Staff, Trees Weather the Blame
Offshore Embassy for Families
Visy Paper Folds
Workers Unplug Power Cuts
Silverwater Offers Porridge
Environment Wiped Out In Dubbo
Justice Eludes Kariong Staff
Nelson Flags Another Raid
Five Steps to Sanity
Activists What's On!
The Locker Room
In Naming Rights Only
Phil Doyle has Gone to Gowings The Soapbox
Homeland Insecurity
Rowan Cahill tells us how the Howard Government�s appointment of Major-General Duncan Lewis to head up the national security division of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has received little critical comment, until now. Parliament
The Westie Wing
New proposed legislation in NSW provides a vital window of opportunity for unions to ensure they achieve convictions for workplace deaths, writes Ian West.
Too Young
Let's Start A New Party
 |
other LaborNET sites |
 |
Labor Council of NSW
Vic Trades Hall Council
IT Workers Alliance
Bosswatch
Unions on LaborNET
Evatt Foundation
|
 |
 |
News
Sydney Turns Down Volume
The CFMEU and Labor councillor, Verity Firth, are working to deliver Sydney residents respite from the noise and dust of the city�s building boom.
Councillors will vote on a ground-breaking move to shut down construction sites over seven long weekends every year, next week.
Endorsement would effectively see council officers enforcing the 36-hours week construction unions have had written into more than 1000 enterprise bargaining agreements.
CFMEU state secretary, Andrew Ferguson, said that would deliver a "win-win situation" for Sydney families and thousands of building workers.
"Some building companies expect our members to work up to, and in excess of, 60 hours a week. That is bad for morale, bad for productivity, destroys families and increases workplace accidents," Ferguson says.
"Most of the industry has recognised that and agreed to seven shut down long weekends a year. This resolution addresses the shonky operators and gives residents a break from the dust and noise that are side effects of the construction boom.
"It delivers seven long weekends a year where people can have a lie in, take a walk or just enjoy their neighbourhood free from the irritation of jack hammers and dust.
"It's a community initiative about quality of life."
Firth said it would give Sydney residents "unique" opportunities to rest and relax in peace.
"Nobody enjoys being woken up by a jackhammer, especially on a long weekend," she said.
Green councillor, Chris Harris, has already pledged support for the proposal. He said it would improve the lives of residents and building workers.
Other Sydney councils, including Waverley, Leichhardt and Ashfield, are understood to be considering similar moves.
View entire issue - print all of the articles!
Issue 245 contents
|