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

	About Workers Online
	Latest Issue
	Print Latest Issue
	Previous Issues
	Advanced Search

other LaborNET sites

Labor Council of NSW
Vic Trades Hall Council
IT Workers Alliance
Bosswatch
Unions on LaborNET
Evatt Foundation

Tassie Jobs Hit By Truck

Pacific National has held off for a month on closing the rail network while state and federal governments conduct a study into demands by PNT for over $100 million to pay for infrastructure upgrades.

Both governments, which claimed ignorance over threats to the system faced by poor rolling stock and infrastructure, were embarrassed when a leaked AusLink application showed that the Tasmanian Government had asked for $215million last year. AusLink is the federal governments transport funding model.

Over 50 rail workers were joined by local bus drivers and other residents at PNT's Launceston maintenance depot, all expressing anger at the threat and dismayed at the effect that the loss would have on the Tasmanian community.

"Not only does this threaten the livelihoods of almost 200 Tasmanian rail workers and their families, it would also see an extra 2000 trucks a week on the State's roads, which will be a disaster for road safety," said Rail Tram and Bus Union National Organiser Greg Harvey.

"On top of that thousands of other jobs across the state will be hanging by a thread if rail is closed."

The viability of Norska Skogg paper mill and the Zinifex zinc smelter, who between them employ thousands of Tasmanians, has been called into question if the mill shuts down.

"Tasmanian rail workers and their families deserve better than being used as a bargaining chip in a dispute over who is going to pay for much needed infrastructure investment.

"This rally shows the deep level of concern in the community over the threat to shut rail in Tasmania."

The rally marked the beginning of a community campaign against Pacific National's move to close its rail freight operation.

"We are speaking with a wide range of community groups who will be affected if this hair-brained idea goes through," said Harvey.

"Pacific National and State and Federal governments need to come up with a solution that meets the needs of the Tasmanian community.

Following the rally Harvey told a forum in Hobart on the future of Tasmanian rail in Hobart that rail workers were disappointed the Federal Government was not more actively involved.

"We recognise that the State government takes this issue seriously. But we need Pacific National and state and federal governments to fix this problem.

"We don't care who fixes it, just fix it."

  View entire issue - print all of the articles!

  Issue 286 contents

© 1999-2002 Workers Online
Workers Online is a resource for the Labour movement
provided by the Labor Council of NSW
URL: http://workers.labor.net.au/286/news86_truck.html
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005