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| Issue No 28 |  |
27 August 1999 |
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Letters to the EditorVizard: Net Content Is Vital
It is good to see some critical analysis of the special deal with Vizard's company to supply computers to union members. Content on the web is very important, and if you control a major portal, you effectively control what content gets viewed. I am all for cheap deals for union members, but don't lock up (or filter) content. The Unions @ Work document shows that internet communications for organising workers is vital. From my own experience, I know that the internet can enhance a union campaign. I ran a solidarity site - 'Takver's Soapbox - War on the Wharfies' last year on the MUA dispute. This website complemented the MUA's website by providing up to date information, as well as daily bulletins sent to a number of email lists at the height of the dispute. The fast dissemination of this information was used by people around Australia and internationally. My website provided timely information, such as to the West Coast dockers which came out in strong support of the MUA. The advantage of my website was its unofficial nature - I have no formal connections to the MUA - and was free to publish commentaries and calls to action without legal eagles breathing down my neck or fears of action by the ACCC. I can imagine the Vizard 'Virtual communities' portal filtering my site out because of my anarchist politics, thus denying a useful resource to the Australian Union Movement. I know that my website has contributed effectively to the union movement in the MUA campaign. Web content is far too important to leave up to any third party business to filter or block in a cheap deal. I hope the ACTU doesn't sell us short. Keep up the good work in solidarity Takver
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   Interview: Talking TurkeyA full transcript of an important interview with the Minister for Workplace Relations, the Hon Peter Reith. Politics: What Reith told the ILOWorkers Online has recevied a transcript of roving statesman Peter Reith's talk to the ILO in Geneva. This one's not satire. Unions: What the Workers SaidActor Di Smith was one of nine ordinary workers who addressed this week's rally. Here's what she had to say. International: Cancelling the DebtSign this Jubilee 2000 email petition now and tell the world's most powerful leaders to cancel the unpayable debts of the world's poorest countries by the year 2000. Environment: Greens, CFMEU call for Action on Ceiling DustResidents and workers, associated with houses damaged in the freak hail storm that hit Sydney earlier this year, may have been exposed to harmful levels of toxic materials found in the ceiling dust of the damaged buildings History: Eveleigh Railway Workshops celebration Former workers and their families from the historic Eveleigh Railway Workshops in inner-Sydney are holding a picnic reunion and folk music festival on the site this Sunday. Republic: Does the Republic Need a President?It seems inevitable that Australia will eventually become a republic but do we need a president? Satire: Liberals May Need to Sell of More of Telstra'We're running low in key marginals,� says Alston Review: A Kind of ViolenceExtracts from Yosi Berger's new book, telling the real stories behind workpalce safety.
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