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Issue No. 303 | 21 April 2006 |
Brand Spanking
Interview: Head On Unions: Do You Have a Moment? Industrial: Vital Signs Economics: Taxing Times Environment: It Ain�t Necessarily So History: Melbourne�s Hours Immigration: Opening the Floodgates Review: Pollie Fiction Poetry: The Cabal
Control Freak Turns Hand to AWAs �Clean Start� Sweeps Into Action Fleas Leave Andrews Scratching The $130 Question: What is He On? Apprentices Assume Missionary Position Rights At Work Worth Playing For
Politics Politics The Soapbox Postcard The Locker Room Obituary
Lying Lies And The Lying Liars Who Tell Them II What Tax Cuts? Belly Says It�s Time A Word Of Warning Stop Mexican Revolution Well That Clears That Up Then
Labor Council of NSW |
News TWU Boss Gaoled
Transport Workers Union Local President Roger Toussint has been sentenced to a 10-days in lockup following a rail strike for better wages in December. It was the second time a union has been fined under the controversial Taylor Law, which makes it illegal for New York State public servants to strike. Political activist Jesse Jackson said the outrageous fine and sentencing threw light on an unjust law. "We have to challenge unjust and oppressive laws," Jackson said. "Slavery was once a law, denying women the right to vote was once a law, the Montgomery Bus Boycott challenged an unjust law." Metropolitan Transportation Authority workers went on strike for two and a half days when talks on the retirement age and wage increases broke down. A NY1 television network poll found 54 per cent of New Yorkers polled agreed with the unions demands during the strike. Back home, individual unionists can be fined up to $33,000 under the Howard Government's WorkChoices laws for breaking strict conditions on strikes. The Minister of Workplace relations can call strikes off, even before they starts, on a range of grounds, including they would "adversely affect the employer". Meanwhile, five American janitors on a hunger-strike for a living wage have been rushed to hospital. A group of University of Miami janitors have been on a hunger strike since April 3, calling for a living wage, health care and union representation. The largely migrant workers are paid less than $US7 ($A9.50) an hour, $US6 ($A8.12) less than the rate at other universities.
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