E D I T O R I A L

Lord of the Lobster Legs
It was probably only shame that prompted the Prime Minister to drag himself away from a $250 per head fundraiser to meet with a group of emergency workers in Wollongong this week. But, this in itself may be a development.

F E A T U R E S

Interview: Under Fire
Michael Crosby outlines his agenda to save the movement � and explains why Australians have nothing to fear from the SEIU.

Politics: And the Winners Are ...
Wal King, Allan Moss, Roger Corbett, Chip Goodyear, Michael Chaney and David Murray have lots in common, writes Jim Marr.

Industrial: Un-Australian
Labour lawyer Clive Thompson argues the changes to IR are fundamentally at odds with the national tradition of consesensus.

Economics: The Common Wealth
As the policy wonks debate the future of our cities, Neale Towart mounts a simple argument: It�s the real people in a society, stupid

History: Walking for Justice
The Eight Hour Day, a very Australian celebration, had its origins in New Zealand it seems, writes Neale Towart.

International: Deja Vu
A group of trade unions have walked away from America's peak council, again. Labourstart's Eric Lee was there.

Legal: The Rights Stuff
Terror laws have sparked a fresh debate on a Bill of Rights - and workers have a bigger stake than ever before, writes Rachael Osman-Chin.

Review: That Cinderella Fella
Russell trades the phone for mitts in an inspiring cinematic slug-fest. Nathan Brown is ringside

Poetry: Is Howard Kidding?
Mel Cheal asks who Howard thinks he is kidding to the tune of the �Dad�s Army� theme song.

N E W S

Family Grieves an Enterprise Worker

All Quiet in Dandenong

Hotline Gets Wires Crossed

High Flyer Crashes Families

Bolt Strikes Lecturer

Good Heavens - Della Plays Santa

Maori Take Challenge to Canberra

Drips Fail Water Test

Hardie Shuts the Door

Hadgkiss Threatens Protesters

Army Fires Salvo

The Munro Doctrine

IR Sparks Emergency Call

Tassie Jobs Hit By Truck

Canberra Coy on Promised Statements

Inquiry to Speak No Evil

Activist's What's On!

C O L U M N S

The Soapbox
No Place For A Woman!
Doreen Borrow spoke to the Public Service Association�s women�s conference in September about her experiences of working life that span seven decades.

Postcard
North By Northwest
Phil Doyle returns from up north, where he survived on nothing but goodwill, good people and a great big orange bus.

The Locker Room
Disaster
In which Whatsisname slams the recent poor form of Thingummyjig.

Parliament
The Westie Wing
Our favourite MP, Ian West MLC, gets all casual in his latest missive from the Bear Pit.

L E T T E R S

WHAT YOU CAN DO

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Buying peace Of Mind

Opposition governments and unions may save us but we can help by helping ourselves, using our power as consumers. We don't HAVE to be dross to be gobbled up and spat out by big business.

Some simple suggestions:

Move your money to CREDIT UNIONS who pay workers award rates and penalties, where members have a say in how it is run and the money stays in the community as opposed to banks who cut staff, use AWAS, move jobs offshore and have to satisfy shareholders and overpaid (by MILLIONS of dollars) executives.

If we buy at INDEPENDENT GREENGROCERS, BUTCHERS, PHARMACIES and NEWSAGENCIES instead of at supermarkets we can not only check that the goods are being made in Australia (because there IS someone to ask), we can exercise discretion in where we shop and what we buy, according to how workers are treated and paid (I won't be buying Imperial Mushrooms any time soon), we will ensure future choice (not just between giant conglomerates who occasionally! have been known to stitch up secret deals and price fix) and again we are not feeding profits to large, often overseas, corporations, executives and shareholders.

If we REFUSE to buy GENERIC/IMPORTED goods when we buy our other stuff at the supermarket we can ensure more jobs stay here and that our food meets Australian standards and ditto, ditto, ditto above.

If we get OUT of the SHAREMARKET and stay out of the sharemarket, we ourselves are not contributing to the global forces which are now pushing Australian workers to the wall. That unearned income on shares usually comes from someone's job loss (not the executive's) or pay reduction. Who needs unearned income if we have decent jobs and reasonable relaxation time?

None of the above is difficult to do or very expensive but the expense of not doing it - well, you know.

Pat Francis, NSW

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005