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Issue No. 311 | 16 June 2006 |
Big Target
Interview: Rock Solid Industrial: Eight Simple Rules for Employing My Teenage Daughter Politics: The Johnnie Code Energy: Fission Fantasies History: All The Way With Clarrie O'Shea International: Closer to Home Economics: Taking the Fizz Unions: Stronger Together Review: Montezuma's Revenge Poetry: Fair Go Gone
Esselte Occasioning Workplace Harm Indonesian Guards Occupy Office Leafy Council Rewards Choppers
The Soapbox The Locker Room Parliament Education
Career Opportunities A Nuclear Error
Labor Council of NSW |
News Qantas Passes the Bucks
Qantas said John Howard's legislation left it with no choice after 99 baggage handlers held an urgent safety discussion when bolts started falling from overhead construction work at Sydney Airport. But the Transport Workers Union will contest the deductions in the Chief Industrial Magistrate's Court. "These men were placed in extremely dangerous situations, with scissor lifts operating above their heads," TWU secretary, Tony Sheldon, said. "During their meeting, employees raised 19 serious questions about safety in their workplace. "Qantas management informed them they would each be docked four hours pay which is the minimum penalty allowed under Howard's workplace changes. "The TWU will not sit back and allow this to happen." Federal Workchoices legislation instructs employers to dock a minimum of four hours wages for any industrial stop work meeting. The only exception is where workers can prove they faced "imminent risk". Sheldon said that's exactly what baggage handlers had been exposed to. Qantas was an strong supporter of the Prime Mininster's workplace regime that has already been used to strip conditions, lower earnings, and deny collective bargaining rights. Company CEO, Geoff Dixon, is a key player in the pro-WorkChoices Business Council of Australia. Sheldon said the TWU launched legal action after Qantas failed to reply to a request to return the workers' money.
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