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And The Battle Begins
After months of skirmishing and waiting for the first shots to be fired, we finally have a picture of the Howard Government�s agenda to tear down 100 years of industrial relations.
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.
Signs of the Times
Fungal Growth Blights AWA�s
Andrews Apes Big End
Telstra Charge Reversed
Good GEERS Hard to Find
More Pulp Fiction
For Sale - Goulburn
Bosses Admit Pay Too Low
Yachtie Sinks in Bog
Albrechtsen Merits Questions
New Eateries On Menu
Fungal Growth Blights AWA�s
Markets Cheer Pattern Bargains
Mine Managers in Denial
No Interest In Costello
Activist�s What�s On
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.
Boycott Bunnings
Just One Thing
No Dosh For Rupert
Executions Not Fines
Howard Needs To Know
Disability Disgrace
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Labor Council of NSW
Vic Trades Hall Council
IT Workers Alliance
Bosswatch
Unions on LaborNET
Evatt Foundation
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Letters to the Editor
Just One Thing
Thanks for the positive review of Dare to Struggle Dare to Win in the February 11 Workers Online.
Just one point of clarification. In the review Tim Brunero writes "the BLF's 'go it alone' policy isolated it." This is, in fact, the exact opposite of what I argue.
The point I made, backed up by quotes from leading national union officials, was that the BLF was isolated by key unions in the labour movement because of its stand on the Accord and determination to keep its members' wages and conditions the best in the country.
Their position was that whenever the stronger unions won gains, this flowed on to the rest of the workforce - a claim supported by all the statistics.
The Accord and its supporters countered this, arguing that the strong had to hold back to protect the weak.
Well as Tom McDonald himself said in his autobiography: the "great weakness" of the Accord was that it disempowered workers and in the end "undermined unionism".
He acknowledges that it took away workers' right to struggle for higher wages and conditions, with everything decided at the "top echelons!". (IU p.279-285, 289)
As we face another round of attacks on union rights and workers' wages and conditions, the question of how to fight is of more than passing interest to activists in the labour movement.
Read my account of the BLF's struggle and decide which position you'd take.
Then let's debate the issue in the union movement, through Workers Online or come along to the Labour History Conference in Sydney and debate it out with me.
In solidarity
Liz Ross
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Issue 253 contents
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