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Rivers of Gold
The latest catchphrase from the econmentariat seems to be ‘infrastructure’ – which I think refers to what we used to know as ‘public works’.
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
Feds Wrong on Minimum Wage
Dogs in Sheep’s Clothing
Andrews Faces Probe
NSW Packs IR Scrum
China Syndrome
Pirates Of The Canberrean
Foxtel Scores Own Goal
Killer Bosses on Notice
Apprentices Spitting Chips
Howard Chokes Working Women
Vice Regal Notes
Survey – Do it Now or Else
Greens Join Fight
Workers win repreive
Activists Whats 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
Secure Advice
All The Way With The USA
Expensive Door Charge
Teen Years in Detention
Court Cases are Media’s Drug
Lang Is Right
Legalising Unfairness
Hertz Meenz Hurtz
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News
Dogs in Sheep’s Clothing
Employer groups united to oppose this week’s $17 a week minimum wage increase.
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) spokesman, Scott Barklamb, said the rise would undermine the ability of employers to hire new staff.
Barklamb said he was pleased the Australian Industrial Relations Commission would make way for a new system, more attuned to employer desires.
ACCI chief, Peter Hendy, said he was "disappointed" at the extra money being directed at the low paid and that the ruling underscored the "urgent need to reform minimum wages".
Last year, the ACCI argued the low paid should get no increase as many of the chief executives it represented trousered hikes in excess of $8000 a week.
Disappointment at the size of the minimum wage movement was also expressed by representatives of the Business Council of Australia (BCA) and Australian Industry Group (AIG).
The government's new minimum wage monitoring body, the Fair Pay Commission, is almost exactly what the BCA and AIG requested in submissions to the federal government earlier this year.
ACTU secretary, Greg Combet, predicted the Commission would be "stacked" with government supporters and, as a result, the low paid would cop effective pay cuts.
"The Fair Pay Commission is like something out of George Orwell," Combet said. "It's a joke."
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Issue 267 contents
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