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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.
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.
 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!
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.
Sacking For Dummies
DIY Tool
Thus Spake Sydney Uni
Morgan’s Way
Vote 1 Dictator
Howard’s Choice
Buying peace Of Mind
Coolies Bullish
Unfair ads
Rev Kev Speaks
Politicians
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Vic Trades Hall Council
IT Workers Alliance
Bosswatch
Unions on LaborNET
Evatt Foundation
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News
Army Fires Salvo
The Salvation Army says the Federal Government’s proposed industrial relations legislation will force Australians to sacrifice time with their families just so they can keep their jobs.
"For a while now, at the higher paid end of the job market, we've seen people working longer hours for more money," says John Danziel, communications director for the Salvation Army, "now, at the unskilled end of the market, we'll see people sacrificing time with their families to stay employed."
As a provider in the Government's Job Network, the Salvation Army is particularly well placed to argue strategies for helping people who have been unemployed for long periods of time. The comments are a considerable challenge to the Howard government claims for reforming of the job market.
"We believe that the Government should be looking at ways of expanding work opportunities for unemployed people rather than making them compete for the jobs that are already available," Mr Danziel said.
"The Government should be developing community assets, roads and community centers. It should be using government capital and spending it on infrastructure," he said.
The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Kevin Andrews, moved quickly to counter the Salvation Army's criticism by calling unemployment "an evil" that stops people becoming part of the community.
"We agree with the Government," Mr Dalziel says, "it's just that we believe that they should solve the problem of unemployment rather than make people compete for a job."
Mr Dalziel said that the Government's proposed changes will make the job market more competitive for people at the unskilled end of the marketplace and restrict their ability to become part of the community.
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Issue 286 contents
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