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Issue No. 308 | 26 May 2006 |
If the Answer is Nuclear �.
Interview: Out of the Bedroom Industrial: Cloak and Dagger Unions: Lockout! Legal: The Fantasy of Choice Politics: Labor Pains Economics: Economics and the Public Purpose Corporate: House of Horrors History: Clash Of Cultures International: Childs Play Culture: Folk You Mate! Review: Last Holeproof Hero
Lets Get Physical, Building Bosses Sparkie Vote Will Go To the Wire Nine Vanish in Melbourne Triangle Labor Roots In Graft Allegations
The Soapbox The Locker Room Parliament
Noll On Riders on the Strom No Gerry Can Insight Fires Up
Labor Council of NSW |
News Retailers Spotlight Wage Cuts
National Retailers Association (NRA) chief executive, Patrick McKendry, said other retailers would ape arts and craft chain Spotlight in embracing contracts, which eliminated weekend and penalty rates. "Far from being defensive about it, the NRA applauds it because we think a lot of other retailers will follow Spotlight's lead," McKendry said. But the union that covers retail employees, the SDA, says responsible employers have indicated they would stay away from condition-cutting AWAs. "Retailers would do well to steer clear of this," SDA secretary Gerard Dwyer said. Some of the retailers that have indicated they would support fair negotiations include Woolworths, Coles-Myer and Bunnings. While condemning Spotlight's actions, Dwyer said the AWAs were legal under the Howard Government's WorkChoices laws. The AWA, offered to new employers and some existing workers, trades away weekend and penalty rates - worth up to $93 per week - for an extra two cents an hour on the current base rate. A Spotlight spokesman told the Australian newspaper said the company was just doing what it was told by legislators. Questioned in Parliament about the contracts, Prime Minister John Howard said WorkChoices was good for the economy. The ACTU said Howard's comments showed contempt for working families, already being slugged by petrol prices and higher interest rates. "Mr. Howard's comments of support for Spotlight send a clear message to employers and working families - this Government is on the side of employers and profits, regardless of the costs to working families," policy officer George Wright said. With 86 stores in Australia, Spotlight rakes in more than $600 million a year. Have Your SayEmail Spotlight's owners! Use the Your Rights at Work feedback form
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