E D I T O R I A L

An Act of Faith
After a week of watching the Howard Government attempt to explain their vision of work relations we have a clearer picture of what the social safety net will be in the future – an act of faith

F E A T U R E S

Interview: The Baby Drought
Social ethicist Leslie Cannold has delved into why women - and men - are having fewer children. And it all comes back to the workplace.

Industrial: Lies, AWAs and Statistics
David Peetz uncovers the truth behind the latest statistics on earnings under Australian Workplace Agreements.

Workplace: The Invisible Parents
Current government policies about work and family do not reflect the realities of either family life or the modern workplace. writes Don Edgar.

History: Bruce’s Big Blunder
The Big Fella, Jack Lang, gives an eyewitness account of the last time Conservatives tried to dismantle Australia’s industrial relations system.

Politics: All God's Children
The battle for morality is not confined to Australian polittics. Michael Walzer writes on the American perspective

Economics: Spun Out
The business groups are feeling cocky. The feds have announced their IR changes, business says they don't go far enough. What a surprise, writes Neale Towart

International: Shakey Trials
Lyndy McIntyre argues the New Zealnd IR experiment provides warnings - and hope - for the Australian union movement.

Legal: Civil Distrubance
Tom Roberts argues that there is more at stake than an attack on building workers in the looming legsilation.

Review: Crash Course In Racism
Paul Haggis flick Crash suggests that when cars collide the extent of people's prejudices are revealed sans the usual veil of political correctness, writes Tara de Boehmler.

Poetry: You're Fired
New laws will leave bosses holding the whip and workers with a Raw Hide, writes resident bard David Peetz

N E W S

Beattie Dares Job Vandals

Broken Hill Confronts "Choice"

BHP Faces Losses

Howard Threatens Babies

Working Between the Flags

Hadgkiss Makes History

Bob The Organiser

Johnny Packs Toothbrush

Security Blunders to the Max

EDI Court Out

Feds: Do As I Say …

Soaring Mercury Sparks Walk Off

Unions Offer to Play Libs

Education Stands Up To Howard Assault

Dodgy Bosses Get a Tick

Weight Watchers Raise Scales

Hyundai Showdown a Riot

Activists' What's On!

C O L U M N S

The Locker Room
Ashes to Dust
In which Phil Doyle travels to distant lands in search of a meat pie, and prepares for the joys of sleep deprivation

Parliament
The Westie Wing
Ian West lists the Top Ten reasons why workers in NSW can gain some solace from having the Labor Party sitting on the Treasury benches…

The Soapbox
Dear John
In response to this year’s Federal Budget, Bishop Kevin Manning wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister, Mr John Howard

L E T T E R S

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EDI Court Out

EDI relented on its hardline stance, at the beginning of a fourth week of an "unofficial lockout" and agreed to pay members of the AMWU, CFMEU, AWU and ETU for work performed.

"We told them we wouldn't work unless we were paid after they refused to pay people for two days," AMWU organiser Rohan Webb said. "Unfortunately, it took another three weeks of lockout before they saw sense.

"It came after the unions took a strategic decision to lodge Federal Court proceedings to try and get our money.

"Every day, at 7am and 2 oclock we have seen the company and offered to work, on condition of getting paid. Every day they refused, until the paper were filed."

The company has also walked away from its refusal to negotiate with unions, imposed after workers turned down its first pay offer.

The issue blew up after EDI told workers at its Maryborough Rail operation they would not be paid for two days when they had overtime bans, and other restrictions, in place.

The AMWU says EDI's hardline stance has stripped about $600,000 out of the local economy and that money is still at issue.

"We still have legal action underway to recoup the wages lost when our people were prepared to work but the company wouldn't pay them," Webb said.

EDI has split the old Maryborough workshops into five different business units, operating under various employment agreements.

Colleagues at the adjacent EDI Services, also have a range of bans and limitation in force.

Three months ago, a sit-in forced the company to reinstate two tradesmen who had refused to do the work of striking EDI Services employees.

The Queensland workers want equal pay and conditions with other rail workers around Australia, common expiry dates for EDI documents, and arms-length control of their entitlements.

Webb says the company's different business units are an "artificial device" to split the workforce.

"What we are looking for is equal pay for equal work, whether you live in Queensland or the southern states, it's as simple as that," he said.

Union members have lifted their "peaceful vigil" but warn it is likely to be reimposed if negotiation founder again.

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005