E D I T O R I A L

Wood for the Trees
In the book that may never become a film, �Eucalyptus�, a father will not give his daughter away unless her suitor can name every tree on the property.

F E A T U R E S

Economics: Super Seduction
Sharks are circling your super. From July 1, banks and financial planners will have access to the nesteggs of an extra four million workers.

Interview: Bono and Me
ACTU Sharan Burrow lifts the lid on the rock star lifestyle of an international union leader.

Unions: The Eight Hour Day and the Holy Spirit
Rowan Cahill bucks conventional wisdom to argue the eight-hour day began in Sydney.

Economics: OEC-Who?
The OECD calls for more reform. But, Asks Neale Towart, who is really doing the calling?

Technology: From Widgets to Digits
How can unions grow and continue to successfully represent workers when their traditional structures are rooted in an industry, craft or fixed location?

Education: Dumb and Dumber
Unions are leading the fight against a political agenda that does away with smart jobs.

Health: No Place for the Young
The support of union members is required to help get young people out of nursing homes, writes Mark Robinson

History: The Work-In That Changed a Nation
February 17 marks 30-years to the day that sacked coal miners at the NSW Northern District Nymboida Colliery began their historic work-in at the mine.

Review: Dare to Win
The history of the militant and often controversial BLF is as surprising as it is fascinating writes Tim Brunero.

Poetry: Labor's Dreaming
With another change at the helm of the Labor Party, our resident bard, David Peetz, can't help but dreamily drawing on some political history.

N E W S

Families On the Rack

Detention Centre for Darling Harbour

Transit Officers' Close Shave

Truckies Drive Mac Attack

We Have Way of Making You Walk

Howzat � Murali Spun Out

Show Me The Money

Walter�s Mates Pay

Retailer Sells Out Workers

Financiers Squash Capital Idea

Taskforce Stands Over Families

Big Australian Changes the Rules

Bodyguards Stabbed In Back

Big Brother Stirs Up Porridge

Carr Sees Trees for Wood

Activist�s What�s On

C O L U M N S

Politics
Titanic Forces
There are book reviewers who have not read the book they have just reviewed and there are critics who have criticised films they have not yet seen. I want to review a novel that has not yet been written.

The Soapbox
Labour and Labor
Grant Bellchamber looks at the relationship between both sides organised labour

Postcard
Aussie Unions Help Tsunami Victims
The union movement�s aid agency reports back on its relief effort in Asia.

The Locker Room
Game, Set and Yawn
Phil Doyle asks if tennis is evil or just boring

Parliament
The Westie Wing
As a reshuffle of the State Ministry settles in and the Federal Government throws down the gauntlet, 2005 promises to be a new and vital chapter in the struggle for workers and their families, writes Ian West in Macquarie Street.

L E T T E R S

WHAT YOU CAN DO

	About Workers Online
	Latest Issue
	Print Latest Issue
	Previous Issues
	Advanced Search

other LaborNET sites

Labor Council of NSW
Vic Trades Hall Council
IT Workers Alliance
Bosswatch
Unions on LaborNET
Evatt Foundation

Toxic Talk

Wow what an experience.

I was employed at Gal Power Systems in Mississiauga to work on diesel generator systems.

I was working on a pair of 16 v 92 Detroit diesel generator sets at 4160 volt at a facility called the South West Regional Center in Chatham Ontario.

I was requested by the project manager Moe Gallick of the Ontario Realty Corporation to supply and install some fuel system components at an Ontario Provincial Police transmitter tower close by.

When I went there to do the work I saw that this was an old abandoned site no longer in use.

I was let into the building and began work.

As I was working I noticed the building had a an unusual amount of rat poison or toxic chemicals distributed inside the building.

No breathing equipment or protective clothing were supplied by either my employer Gal Power Systems ,

The Ontario Realty Corporation or the Ontario Provincial Police.

Mr Gallick did not spend very much time in the building.

I completed the work.

Shortly after this I had to seek medical attention within the Ministry of Health and was of work for close to a year.

This was a deliberate act.

I almost died.

This act of incompetence was the end of a series of poisonings that started a couple of years earlier when I was working at Harper Detroit Diesel on a project at Mississauga Hydro , probably continued when I was hired by Thomson Technology in British Columbia and almost ended in my death at Gal Power Systems.

Talk about bad politics or a toxic work place.

That's kind of the ultimate.

Some people say there is no corruption here in Canada.

The harrasment in my work place to date is unbelievable as far as off colour and snide comments about my mental health.

There is much more to the story that was published.

This incident that happened to me is an odd health and

safety issue.

Here is a situation where a union might have made a difference.

I will be sending more letters to various groups in the up coming year.

Gerry Duffett

  View entire issue - print all of the articles!

  Issue 252 contents

© 1999-2002 Workers Online
Workers Online is a resource for the Labour movement
provided by the Labor Council of NSW
URL: http://workers.labor.net.au/252/letters1_wow.html
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005