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Moral Majority
Unions NSW is currently hosting one of the world’s great thinkers in Robert Reich; academic, commentator and Clinton labour secretary; a man with a mind as big as the dilemmas progressive politics face right now.
Interview: Minority Report
New federal ALP industrial relations spokesman Stephen Smith on the hostilities in store for the labour movement.
Industrial: Girl Power
Tim Brunero looks at how women are making their mark in a once-male dominated trade.
Unions: Made in NZ
Jim Marr looks behind the rhetoric to uncover what the Howard Government has in store for Australian workers.
History: Spirit for a Fair Go
Paddy Gorman looks at the importance of Eureka on the Australian political psyche.
Economics: Fool's Gold
Tom Bramble identifies some contradictions in Howard's economic miracle.
Politics: Worth Fighting For
One of the Left's most influential figures of the last 40 years gives his theory of power ...
Health: The Force Behind Medibank
Public health has always been a core activity for the union movement, writes Neale Towart
Legal: Robust Justice
Former ACTU executive member and textile union leader Anna Booth argues that Alternate Dispute Resolution is one way around the looming assault on union rights.
International: After the Revolution
Has China entered a post-revolutionary phase - and where will it take the world, asks James Goodman
Poetry: The Sound of Unions
Ah, the hills are alive, with The Sound of Unions, muses resident bard, David Peetz
Review: Bad Santa
Billy Bob Thornton's newest role puts the 'nick' in Saint Nicholas and reveals the Satan in Santa, writes Tara de Boehmler.
 Moral Crusade to Save Family
20 Dead – Stockmarket Applauds
Karen Gives Howard a Paint Job
Buckeridge Bill Blocks Entry
Casual Beach Closures
Railworkers Scull Costa
Racism in the Dock
Go Home Alone – And Other Survival Tips
Vet Beats Bullet
Cleaners Clean Up
Weekend Work Wiped
Miners Go to the Movies
Feds Attack Low Paid
Activists What's On!
New Matilda
How Labor Lost the Plot
In his contribution to Australia's new political zine 'New Matilda' , Father Michael kelly argues the ALP is in search of a soul.
The Soapbox
Outside the Tent
Labor exile Lindsay Tanner is warning the ALP to be careful who it gets into bed with. The Locker Room
Sons Of Beaches
Phil Doyle gets the perfect wave, and waves back Politics
The Westie Wing
150 years since the struggle at Eureka, the fight to achieve social justice, equality and responsible government is just as vital as ever in the neo-conservative Australia, writes Ian West. Postcard
Postcard from Harare
Ken Davis, from Union Aid Abroad, on how unions are at the forefront in the battle for democracy in Zimbabwe
Leadership Skills
Not A Casey Fan
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News
Karen Gives Howard a Paint Job
A Perth teenager has beaten a Howard Government move to prevent her seeking justice from a "deplorable" employer.
Apprentice painter, Karen Cowley, 18, was awarded nine weeks pay after the WA IRC found contractor, Joe Milici, had abused his position by sacking her after she insisted on being paid correctly.
The Commission described Milici's behaviour as "deplorable".
Under planned legislation, Cowley would have been unable to seek redress because Milici's company, JJ Painting Contractors, employs less than 20 people.
Cowley began on leaving school but was only months into the job when warning signs starting flashing.
She expressed concern about "low" earnings but Milici insisted her rates were correct until her mother intervened. Then it was discovered she hadn't been registered as an apprentice.
That was rectified, last October, but Cowley was out of a job within the month after a showdown over weekend rates.
She told the Commission, Milici offered her $50 tax free for working weekends but she had insisted on the proper rate for the job.
After a meeting at which Milici told her she wasn't worth it, and that he intended to extend her apprenticeship by another three months, she admitted, breaking down.
She told the commission she stuck a finger in the air, swore and turned away because she was about to cry. Milici sacked her.
The Commission found the "single incident" did not outweigh her good work record, or the fact that Milici wanted her to work for less than she was entitled to.
It had heard that, prior to the dismissal, Milici had talked about nominating her for apprentice of the year.
Cowley was represented in the case by the CFMEU.
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Issue 249 contents
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