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Revenge of the Footy Dads
The release of the second wave of ACTU TV advertising last weekend continues to take the debate around industrial relations into the broader community � and specifically the nation�s footy grounds.
Interview: Polar Eclipse
Academic David McKnight challenges some sacred cows in his new book "Beyond Left and Right".
Industrial: Wrong Turn
Radical labour reform is on the horizon but some workers, like Sydney bus driver Yvonne Carson, have seen it all before, writes Jim Marr.
Unions: Star Support
It wasn't just families who backed workers' rights at The Last Weekend, but a bunch of musicians who set the tone, writes Chrissy Layton.
Workplace: Checked Out
Glenda Kwek asks you to consider the plight of the retail worker, and shares some of her experiences
Economics: Sold Out
The Future Fund and industrial relations reform are favourite projects of the PM and the Treasurer. Both are speculations on the future and the only guarantee with them is that you will be worse off, writes Neale Towart.
Politics: Green Banned
The impact of new building industry laws won�t be confined to one industry, writes CFMEU national secretary John Sutton.
History: Potted History
Lithgow is a place with a proud history as a union town. The origins of broader community solidarity lie in the early industrial development of the town and the development of unions. The Lithgow Pottery dispute of 1890 was a key event.
International: Curtain Call
The curtains have opened for East Timor�s young theatre performers, thanks to a Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA project.
Review: Little Fish
At last! An Aussie film with substance, suspense and a serious dose of reality, writes Lucy Muirhead
Poetry: Slug A Worker
In a shock development, the Federal Treasurer, Peter Costello, gave a ringing endorsement to the poetry pages of Workers Online, writes resident bard David Peetz.
 Brazilians Score at Rocky
PM Discounts Fair Go
Centrelink Crashes Internet
On Yer Bikes
Road Toll Off The Rails
Part-Timers in Bank Heist
It�s Eight Against Eight
OEA Says Plaque You
Kez and Rupe Tighten Grip
Feds Get Blank Cheque
Rev Kev Absolves Killers
Turning Business Upside Down
Stink Over CountryLink Shrink
Nurses Brush Sick Offer
Men Make Permanent Choice
Activist's What's On!
The Soapbox
Families First
New Senator Stephen Fielding turned a few heads with his Maiden Speech to Parliament. The Locker Room
The New World Order
Phil Doyle declares himself unavailable for the fifth and deciding test. Parliament
The Westie Wing
Our favourite MP, Ian West, reports from the NSW Government's Safety Summit Postcard
On The Bus
A bright orange bus travelling the state has become the focus of the campaign against federal IR changes. Nathan Brown was on board.
Four Cornered Rat
Hrowad�s Meixd Msesgaes
Caveat Emptor
Shop Front
Petrol Price of War
Unionist Slain
Last Long Weekend
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Labor Council of NSW
Vic Trades Hall Council
IT Workers Alliance
Bosswatch
Unions on LaborNET
Evatt Foundation
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Letters to the Editor
Last Long Weekend
Working class families should enjoy the Labour Day long weekend because it will be the last before Howard's industrial laws go through.
Under the Liberals laws employers are able to come to employees saying you have to work on public holidays and without public holiday penalty rates.
This would mean that more and more workers would not be enjoying public holidays.
This Liberal move undermines the community celebrations, the long weekends, the festivities, cultural events and family barbecues that we all enjoy.
Some business support this move arguing that it costs to close on a public holiday. They want the days to be taken when it suits their business needs. It sounds feasible for employers...but not good for the community.
Although raising this issue on Labour Day, it impacts on all public holidays.
This Industrial change would not occur all at once but more and more workers would be required to work. The more this happened the less the holiday would be public. Already a sizeable number of service, tourism and special events workers as well as essential workers work on public
holidays but at union penalty rates.
This Liberal proposal is part of their unfair work plans for the workforce that would be disastrous for workers; namely taking away unfair dismissal rights; making workers work longer hours not reasonable hours; cuts to take home pay; removing the protection of the independent Industrial Commission, taking away the right to strike and making it harder for unions to organise workers.
As we enjoy this Labour Day, many working families will be aware of their rights at work and the government's plans to take them away.
Chris White
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Issue 283 contents
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