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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
Vice Regal Notes
Staff working for the Queens representative in Australia, Governor-General Michael Jeffrey, have won pay rises of 5% after walking off the job.
Forty gardeners and service staff went out on the grass over pay differences of several thousand dollars a year less than other public sector workers doing the same job.
As they sat outside the gates of the Governor general's official residence, Yarrulumba, tucking into cucumber sandwiches, senior officials of the Governor general's department agreed to bring the staff into line with other public sector workers.
Vince McDevitt from the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) says that achieving "pay-parity" with workers in other parts of the public service doing similar jobs was the key issue.
"The pay rates in the Office of the Governor General are generally around 4% behind other departments doing comparable work," says McDevitt. "For example, a gardener working in Government House grounds is paid several thousand dollars a year less than a gardener doing the same job at Parliament House."
Mr McDevitt said the protest came after nine months of unsuccessful talks over pay for the 80 or so gardeners, butlers and catering staff working for Major-General Jeffery.
The current agreement expired in March and the staff had rejected a previous offer as "inadequate".
Office of the Governor General staff are at pains to point out that their succesful protest action is directed at senior management, not the Governor General who is held in high personal regard by staff.
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Issue 267 contents
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