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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
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
 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!
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
Patriot Doug
Remembering Workers In Cairns
Bad Law
Fair Go For Injured Workers
A Question Of Choice
Galahs Up The Cross
National Solution
Bomber�s Classic
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Evatt Foundation
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News
Dodgy Bosses Get a Tick
WorkCover is handing contracts worth $50 billion to dodgy bosses in defiance of state government policy.
The health and safety authority argues it is not bound by a memorandum of understanding between Unions NSW and Macquarrie St not to give work to companies with questionable employment practices.
WorkCover says it acts "in trust for employers".
"Workers have been worse off since the changes to workers' compensation while insurers are better off," says Geoff Derrick from the Financial sector Union (FSU). "WorkCover has a responsibility to ensure that those who receive contracts have fair labour practices."
Derrick has singled out labour practices of SunCorp, owners of major workers compensation insurer GIO, who have run a bitter anti-union campaign. He also pointed to another insurer with a big market share, NRMA.
"They have a new collective agreement coming up later this year," says Derrick. "We would expect that they would continue to respect collective bargaining.
"It goes to the integrity of insurers. If they do this to their own fit workers, what are they going to do to injured workers?"
The FSU has pointed to the improving bottom line for insurers, built on cutbacks to injured workers and a recovery of the international investment market.
"WorkCover has refused to participate in a process with FSU that would give effect to the objectives of the MOU," says Derrick. "Including improved industry work practices, cooperative industrial relations, job security, training opportunities and high standards of OHS."
Unions NSW will be seeking a meeting with the minister over the issue.
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Issue 266 contents
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