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A Skillful Ruse
If you ever wanted a case study into the adage that big business is all about �privatising the profits and socialising the losses� then look no further than the current skills crisis.
Interview: Dot.Com
Evan Thornley was a labour activist. Then he rode the tech wave. Now he's home with new ideas on how Labor can win the economic debate.
Workplace: Dirt Cheap
In her new book, Elizabeth Wynhausen learns how hard it is to live on the minimum wage.
Industrial: Daddy Doesn�t Live With Us Anymore
Andreia Viegas� tells the story of the loss her young family has felt since her husband was killed at work, and the need for justice for families who fall victim to industrial manslaughter.
Economics: Who's Afraid of the BCA?
Big Business's agenda for Australia has gone from loopy to mainstream at the speed of light, writes Neale Towart
International: From the Wreckage
Working people across Iraq are struggling to build their own independent unions � and are successfully organising industrial action on the vital oil fields as well as in hotels, transport outlets and factories, Writes Andrew Casey
Politics: Infrastructure Blues
With much attention given belatedly to the shortage of infrastructure, little attention has been given to the structure of infrastructure, writes Evan Jones
History: Meat and Three Veg
A new book recounts the impact of the Depression on women workers, writes Neale Towart,
Savings: 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, writes Jim Marr.
Politics: Popping the 'E-Word'
Federal shadow treasurer Wayne Swan unveils Labor's new economic doctrine.
Poetry: To Know Somebody
This week saw an appointment to the ABC Board that was even more breathtaking than that of Liberal Party figure Michael Kroger. Resident Bard David Peetz celebrates the occasion with a reworking of an old Bee Gees hit.
Review: Off the Rails
A new play on the impact of rail privatisation in Britain has a poignant message for Sydney commuters, writes Alex Mitchell
 Killer Company Sent Down
Once Upon a Time in Bexley
Defence Contractor at War
Steeple Takes a Tumble
Tribunal Goes the Bash
Nurses On Top
Uni Rolled on Casuals
Howard Strips GEERS
Septics Dump On Aussie Jobs
Banks Safety Interest
Feds Should Help Kids
Safety Stars at Opera House
Three Dollars Free For Readers
Toast the Days Of Old
Clinton Boycotts Hotel
Activist�s What�s On
The Soapbox
The Big Picture
Think about this: It takes 150 tonnes of iron ore to buy a plasma TV, writes Doug Cameron. The Locker Room
Reducto Ad Absurdo
Phil Doyle offers advice for the lovelorn, and finds that things are getting smaller
New Matilda
Work is In
The rise and fall of the working hours debate in france is relevent to Australian workers, writes Daniel Donahoo and Tim Martyn Parliament
The Westie Wing
Our favourite MP surveys the upcoming conservative centralist collective attack. Postcard
Postcard from Harvard
Australian union officials making the annual pilgrimage to the Harvard Trade Union Program learnt that, at least, they are not alone, says Natalie Bradbury.
The Auld Mug
Banks Are Great
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News
Steeple Takes a Tumble
Melbourne�s jumping season fell at the first hurdle when Sandown racecourse workers scratched the steeplechase from Wednesday�s card on safety grounds.
Workers Online understands Victorian stewards supported the action of AWU members who slapped a Provisional Improvement Notice on heavy, outdated steeples that have led to cuts, bruises and back injuries.
Track staff not only have to erect the heavy fences, constructed from half logs and topped by plastic brush, but they have to get them down and off the track before chasers return for their run to the post.
AWU secretary, Bill Shorten, said there would be no steeplechases at the course until the club dusted off new, lightweight models sitting in its storeroom.
"You can bet on that," he said this week.
"We have been advised the club has new, improved fences and we can't understand why they aren't using them.
"The old model is cumbersome and heavy and our members have sustained a range of injuries in getting them off the track in time. If they took too long, the horses would be back around and everyone would be in trouble."
Shorten said the AWU has raised the condition of the Sandown steeples, last season, and been assured replacements would be on track for this week's start of the metropolitan jumping season.
The ban came four days after race clubs, riders and industry participants joined forces to honour hundreds of jockeys who have lost their lives in race falls.
At nearby Caulfield, a memorial statue was unveiled and racegoers around the country respected a minutes' silence.
For the record, Wednesday's steeplechase was hurriedly replaced by a 3000m highweight, taken out by the Eric Musgrove-trained Super Cobra at 20/1.
Workers Online understands the gelding is being set for Oakbank's Grand Easter Steeplechase where, hopefully, the club will comply with health and safety requirements.
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Issue 255 contents
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