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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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Evatt Foundation
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News
Septics Dump On Aussie Jobs
Aussie workers, locked out for choosing to have a collective agreement, are arcing up over an attempt to impose US style labor conditions.
A peaceful protest line has been in place at Merck Sharp and Dohme's South Granville facility since January 28 in an effort to move the US company towards a collective agreement.
"We want to get away from this American system where it's every man for himself,' said one of the locked out workers.
"Rather than negotiate in good faith management has chosen to respond to the workers' legitimate claim for job security with the provocative and ideological tool of the lock out," says Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) state secretary Paul Bastian.
Merck Sharp and Dohme's management has been slammed for "exploiting the worst excesses of the Federal Workplace Relations Act" after warning one worker for going to the industrial umpire, the AIRC, and another for meeting a union official.
"This company is very shy of publicity and wants to share that with their workers," says AMWU organiser Harry Delaney, who has praised the strength shown by the Merck Sharp and Dohme employees.
"These people are comparatively new to trade unionism and now fully realise the benefits."
Unions NSW is backing the protest and the matter has been referred to the peak union body's Disputes Committee.
The AMWU says it has put forward a settlement that "reflects Australian standards" in meetings with Merck Sharp and Dohme management.
The current lock out is effective until April 6.
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Issue 255 contents
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