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The Long March
Half a million Australian workers turn out for the largest industrial protests the nation has ever seen, an old style symbol of resistance linked by new world technology, opposing laws from another galaxy.
Interview: Public Defender
The CPSU's Stephen Jones has confronted the Howard Government's IR agenda at close quarters.
Legal: Craig's Story
An inquest in western NSW is a cautionary tale of the use of AWAs, writes Ian Latham
Unions: Wrong Way, Go Back
The WorkChoice legislation sends Australia down the wrong economic road by smashing the instittutions that have made it strong, argues Greg Combet.
Industrial: WhatChoice?
The Howard Government has shown itself to be the master of illusion, writes Dr Anthony Forsyth
Politics: Queue Jumping
The changes to industrial laws, betray a new vision of Australian society, writes James Gallaway.
History: Iron Heel
Conservative governments using laws to take away basic civil rights. It's nothing new, writes Rowan Cahill
Economics: Waging War
When was the last time you heard an Australian politician talk about incomes policy, asks Matt Thistlethwaite
International: Under Pressure
The push for UN intervention in Burma is intensifying, following a report by Vaclav Havel and Bishop Desmond Tutu into slave labour.
Poetry: Billy Negotiates An AWA
More and more people are meeting Billy, the hero of page 15 of the WorkChoices booklet, including our resident bard, David Peetz
Review: A Pertinent Proposition
Nick Cave's "Australian western" touches on some themes still relevant today, Julianne Taverner writes.
 Aussies Shrug Off Threats
PM Executes Back Flip
National Rally Boosts Local Action
Restaurateurs Do a Runner
St Hilliers No Angels
Penalties Frozen on Sundaes
Slammer Threat for Operators
Sunday Light on IR Shadows
Sol Dials Up 12,000 Scalps
Boss Likes Women 'Work-Hardened'
Bread Winner on $9 an Hour
King Goes the Gouge
Jo Jacks Up
Currawong Funds for IR Battle
Howard Joins IR Rogues
Arnie Terminated
Activist's What's On!
The Soapbox
Men and Women of Australia
What makes a perfect speech? Michael Fullilove has scoured Australian history to find out. The Locker Room
The Hungry Years
Phil Doyle gets the feeling we�ve been here before Culture
From Little Things
Paul Kelly's song about the battle for land rights misses one important character, writes Graham Ring Parliament
The Westie Wing
Ian West takes a look at Public Private Partnerships, and wonders if we should all just drink rum�
Driven to despair
What lucky country
Swimming with Sharks
Save Our Culture
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Letters to the Editor
Swimming with Sharks
At the writing of this letter Telstra (nicely timed for Senate Committee hearings into controversial IR reforms) is expected to announce it will cut thousands of jobs, shut the CDMA network and even reduce dividend payments.
I think it would be a tragedy if the PM proudly exclaims that " essential actions taken by Telstra management highlight the need for greater IR flexibility for the good of the economy."
Also, timing of announcements may then raise questions, stranger things have happened, like alleged threats of jail or $200,000 fines against (WorkChoices) call centre workers if they breached contract by disclosing pay and conditions.
When the tide goes out and everything settles down we should be able to see if Australian workers (including those employed by Telstra), have, indeed, been swimming with sharks.
Until then I will remain cautiously skeptical about this week's events.
John McPhilbin
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Issue 290 contents
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