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Issue No. 253 25 February 2005  
E D I T O R I A L

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.

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

 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

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
 Boycott Bunnings
 Just One Thing
 No Dosh For Rupert
 Executions Not Fines
 Howard Needs To Know
 Disability Disgrace
WHAT YOU CAN DO
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News

Yachtie Sinks in Bog


Millionaire yachtie, Syd Fischer, has brought down a cone of silence on subbies at a Kings Cross site plagued by industrial rows and lack of toilet facilities.

Fischer has forced contractors at his Gazebo hotel redevelopment to sign clauses blocking them from speaking to the media.

Many have downed tools, citing $10 million in unpaid bills and safety concerns. Individual contractors are owed up to a million dollars.

Fischer, an Americas Cup yachtsman, is transforming the Gazebo into upmarket apartments. The project is over a year behind schedule and has churned through10 different project managers.

He has sued some of the protesting contractors for damages.

Workcover has fined the company numerous times over the life of the project.

A fortnight ago, Workcover slapped prohibition notices on the site because it lacked emergency procedures and female toilets.

CFMEU official Brian Parker says the company's attitude to safety is "blas�" and managers have sworn at safety committee members who raised concerns.

"I have never ever seen such a nightmare of safety non-compliance," says Parker.

"What we are asking for is for Syd Fischer to sit down with the parties and negotiate an outcome to make sure contractors get paid so they can meet their obligations to employees."

A mass meeting of CFMEU delegates last week voted to picket the site if outstanding issues aren't resolved.

This is not the first time the project has made the news.

In 2002, his development company, Australian Development Corporation, hired then fired, 13 backpackers after they refused to continue demolition work without basic safety protections.

The backpackers were paid $15 an hour all-up, about half the industry rate.


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