*****
Don Randall is a man with the common touch.
The Federal Member for Canning is so impressed with his Perth electorate that he decided to spend a month in Italy getting to know it better.
He is abreast with the needs and aspirations of the ordinary folk in Florence, which is just as well, as the citizens of the southeastern suburbs of Perth will be less than impressed by their representative in Canberra.
Randall has had enough of his electorate being paid decent incomes.
In a rambling speech where he railed against safety laws and sick leave last November, our Tool Of The Week labelled WorkChoices as "an opportunity for future generations of Australians in terms of prosperity".
According to Don Randell union opposition to WorkChoices centred on workers wanting to go to work drunk and stoned.
Neatly sidestepping logic or reality, Randall was left desperately searching for a wedge when WorkChoices turned out to be as popular as ice blocks in July.
So it was that our fearless representative absconded to Perugia in central Italy to find out crueller and more bizarre ways to treat anyone who looks different to us.
Yes, the man who put WA in WASP, was learning the fine points of waterboarding and other fun and fashionable ways to deal with Asylum seekers as part of his month long sabbatical from a dreary Canberra winter.
Randall certainly honed his sophisticated political understanding while munching on tira misu, quaffing the vino and generally soaking up the Dolce & Gabbana and la Dolce Vita.
On his return, Randall was able to describe anyone to the left of Attila the Hun as an "Anarchist" AND keep a straight face.
It must have been that sophisticated renaissance culture back at the villa that inspired him.
Some uncharitable souls would suggest that the current Liberal Federal Government is little more than a whited sepulchre framed in the rabidly dissembling visage of Dear Leader Howard, and that behind him stand a flock of useless drones that couldn't run a tap, let alone the country.
Luckily Don Randall isn't one of them.
Our Tool Of The Week isn't anywhere up to that standard.
Under Tooheys' new contract with transport company Linfox, drivers are being told to cut their pay by $42,000, and to fork out up to $50,000 to upgrade their rigs.
"We'd like people to think before they have a drink," Unions NSW Assistant Secretary Mark Lennon said.
NSW Parliamentarians have little choice as bar staff are refusing to serve Tooheys brews because of the company's "deplorable" treatment of drivers.
Public Service Association secretary, John Cahill, said bar staff were outraged at Tooheys using the current industrial relations climate to dud workers.
"They saw it as a good way to put a bit of pressure on Tooheys," Cahill said.
The contracts came as the Federal Government introduced new "independent contractor" laws, which will deny thousands of workers the right to conditions protected under state law, such as minimum rates of pay, entitlements and access to unfair contracts remedies.
The Independent Contractors Act transfers "independent contractors" - 400,000 of whom work for a single company - from employment laws to commercial regimes.
NSW and Victorian owner-drivers will be exempted from the act, but this will be reviewed after 12 months.
NSW Industrial Relations Minister John Della Bosca said people would be forced into contracting arrangements where they were left footing bills for their own holidays, workers compensation and superannuation.
"Workers will have to assume responsibility for all of these things, pays the costs, and shoulder the risks," Della Bosca said.
Della Bosca said, in combination with WorkChoices, the proposed contractor law would be used to dud workers.
"This bill will make it as easy as possible for employers to sack employees and employ them as contractors."
Tooheys drivers are fighting back through the Transport Workers Union which was locked in negotiations as Workers Online published.
The TWU says drivers have paid up to $450,000 for their Tooheys rounds and company demands could cost debt-laden drivers their family homes.
The government's Bill seeks to deny contractors the right to bargain collectively. It would make it illegal to "collude" against commercial giants like Lion Nathan or Linfox.
"Contractor" status has already been forced on building workers and meatworkers, including labourers, in the face of ATO warnings that contracting poses a threat to the integrity of Australia's tax system.
The ATO told federal government's Building Industry Royal Commission that that sector hid up to 40 percent of its income with contractors posing the biggest problem.
It testified levels of non-compliance were "high and widespread" amongst smaller industry operators.
Despite safety improvement notices from Workcover, no workers comp premiums, and admissions of �payment irregularities�, the federal government has given Hunan Industrial Equipment Installation the greenlight to operate in Australia.
Now the state-controlled labour hire company is hawking itself around Sydney construction and manufacturing bosses on the basis that low-paid Chinese can slash their labour costs.
Hunan is using 24 Chinese workers on Section 457 visas to install a $60 million machine for ABC Tissues at Weatherill Park in Sydney's west.
It has no registered office in Australia and cannot be prosecuted under Australian law.
AMWU officials blew the whistle after being tipped off by members who had been brought in to train the "skilled" Chinese.
State secretary, Paul Bastian, said their first concern had been safety.
He said Hunan hadn't been paying Workers Compensation premiums and that employees, who didn't speak English, had no idea of safety procedures or warnings.
"The bottom line for the AMWU is that lives are precious," Bastian said.
"I'm sure the family of a dead Chinese worker would be just as devastated about its loss as an Australian family.
"There is a whole list of safety issues that start with the inability to speak English and include the use of tools, and safety equipment, that doesn't meet Australian standards.
"Our people have identified unsafe work practices, including a lack of fall protection."
Bastian says the use of a Chinese labour hire company, with no Australian legal responsibilities, to undercut wages and conditions takes 457 exploitation to a new low.
The AMWU is demanding an urgent inquiry into guest labour visas, introduced by the federal government to hold down wages, according to Immigration Minister Amanada Vanstone.
It wants the inquiry to address three priority issues:
- does Australia need long-stay guest labour, and, if so,
- what checks and balances are needed to ensure workers are not exploited
- how effective safety and skills training and monitoring regimes can be implemented
Bastian says no system will work, for locals or guest workers, unless employers are required to register in Australia so they are covered by domestic laws.
One Workcover notice issued, last month, and reprinted by the Australian Financial Review, read: "Persons working on-site are unable to speak or read English and are unable to read or follow the Site Evacuation Plan or Site Specific Occupational Health and Safety Management Plan."
ABC contracted the installation of the tissue making machine to Italian company, A Celli which, in turn, let the labour contract to Hunan Industrial Equipment Installation.
Hunan has assured the AMWU it is paying award wages but, Bastian says, those legal minimums fall far below going rates.
Even so, he said, Chinese workers, has disputed their employers' claim.
"They told us they are being paid Chinese rates and expect to receive bonuses when they get back home," Bastian said.
"These people need some legal protections. At the moment, they are entirely at the mercy of the employer. If they complain or visit authorities, they can be sent home immediately, no questions asked.
"They have no rights at all."
Vanstone confirmed her department had discovered "payment irregularities" to Hunan "visa holders" but said visas would not be cancelled.
Meanwhile, China will press for complete access to Australian jobs for its nationals in free trade negotiations with Canberra.
China wants the visa system opened up to give its people access to skilled and unskilled Australian jobs.
While their leader refused to make eye contact with the dumped childcare worker, last week, Liberal MPs left little doubt where their sympathies lay.
Emily O'Connor accused John Howard of dishonesty and cowardice, after he played the Sergeant Schultz card, in response to questions about her dismissal.
Howard told Parliament he neither knew, nor could be expected to know, of the highly-publicised case in which a Canberra employer boasted WorkChoices meant she didn't have to advance a reason for O'Connor's sacking.
According to bewildered parents, Blinky Bill child care centre manager, Anna Maria French, told them she had taken "full advantage" of the new industrial relations laws in dismissing O'Connor.
"He pretended he didn't know," said O'Connor, who was in the gallery when the Prime Minister was asked if he could "look Emily O'Connor in the eye?"
"He knew exactly who I was. Doesn't he watch TV or read the papers?
"He just dodged the issue. Any decent person would find this situation shocking. I think he has lost sight of what the Australian people want. It was a gutless thing to do."
O'Connor was shocked at the reaction of Liberal politicians when her case was raised in parliament. With Andrew Laming, Liberal member for Bowman, waving a paper at her and telling her to "find a new job".
"I felt like they were going 'look at this girl, she's nothing, she's nobody'," O'Connor said.
O'Connor says she came forward because of the large number of people being affected by the new laws who were too scared to speak up. She has been buoyed by the support from her community and the LHMU.
"It's important people speak up. Just because it's legal doesn't make it right," she said.
NSW National Party leader, Andrew Stoner, made the admission during a meeting with North Coast worker representatives, last week.
Stoner's opinion of his Coalition colleague was revealed by Kempsey teacher, Grant Lee, who signed a statutory declaration after an extraordinarily frank meeting.
"During the meeting Mr Stoner repeatedly claimed the No Disadvantage Clause would protect workers on AWAs," Lee said.
"I pointed out that the Howard Government's new IR laws had abolished the no disadvantage clause. Mr Stoner said that his knowledge of industrial relations was not strong and that he would have to check his facts with federal colleagues.
"Mr Stoner said, 'if Kevin Andrews got rid of that, frankly, he's a dickhead."
Sydney's Daily Telegraph reported Stoner did not shy away from his inflammatory assessment of the Workplace Relations Minister when it interviewed him later in the week.
It said Stoner admitted the comments - and stood by them.
Unions NSW secretary, John Robertson, said from the state's north coast, that Stoner's view was shared by National Party supporters in the region.
Robertson said his organisation's Your Rights at Work tour had unearthed "hundreds" of National voters who were put off by John Howard's radical IR agenda.
"These laws spell the end of any National Party MP who supports them, and the politicians know it," Robertson said.
"In rural NSW these laws mean a race to the bottom for wage and small business.
"If the Nationals continue to support WorkChoices they may as well fold their tent and join the Liberal Party, because their own supporters are going to turn on them."
Last week's Your Rights at Work bus tour held meeting and community forums at Forster, Taree, Port Macquarie, Grafton, Lismore, Tweed Heads, Coffs Harbour and Raymond Terrace.
Last week, it warned two people it claimed had volunteered at the RTBU office that, in future, they must seek management approval.
The Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) delegates were sent letters saying they needed written permission to volunteer at the union's office on days off, or during their holidays.
RailCorp's secondary employment policy was attached to letters, which states work must not "involve lobbying RailCorp, any other agency or Member of Parliament, particularly if such lobbying conflicts with the interests of RailCorp".
It was just one of a range of activities Railcorp says it can bar staff from on their days off.
RTBU Secretary Nick Lewocki said threats against activists rights to lobby against injustice at work and in the community would not be tolerated.
Lewocki said members would not be intimidated from lobbying - including against RailCorp's secondary employment policy
"They came into the office to pick up a couple of flags and that's deemed secondary employment," Lewocki said.
"This is the most anti-union management I've experienced in 30 years as a union official."
Lewocki said RailCorp had previously fingered a man who was preaching at church under the secondary employment policy.
Managers have been directed by Post's Human Resources manager to pass on the threat of formal written warnings and four-hour pay deductions to any worker who attends the rally.
Any worker that wears any Your Rights at Work paraphernalia, such as orange wristbands, during the 'week of action' this week may also be disciplined.
But many employees are expected to defy the warnings, such as Narrabeen postie, Kevin Andrews.
"I felt intimidated by the letter but I'm still going to go because I feel so passionately about the changes," he said.
CEPU state secretary Jim Metcher said Post should not impinge on workers' democratic right to have their voices heard.
"It's not uncommon to dock pay, but taking disciplinary action is over-the-top," he said.
Sydney's main Your Rights at Work rally will be held at Blacktown Showgrounds on Richmond Road at 9am.
The Aged Care Services Australia Group (ACSAG) is sacking 49 Victorian nurses, drastically cutting hours of others and slashing wages, in a move that will rebound on residents..
"Already stretched staff will be stretched even further and they won't be able to provide the same levels of care," ANF state secretary, Lisa Fitzpatrick, said.
The Nurses Federation says ACSAF intends cutting 1042 hours of nursing care a week from five homes it runs in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Moe.
"When you take that many hours away from caring for residents, you have to expect residents in these facilities will suffer," she said.
"These changes are WorkChoices driven."
Aged Care Services Group has cited "operational reasons" for the massive cutbacks.
It is reclassifying qualified nurses as personal care workers in a bid to strip up to $4 an hour out of wage packets.
The private company, which Workers Online understands operates a home at the centre of a sexual abuse scandal, forecasts an 8.5 percent return on shareholder investments.
"Obviously this company is all about looking after shareholder profits instead of residents care," Fitzpatrick said.
ASAG care doesn't come cheap. Some residents hand over $2000 a month, for deluxe rooms, on top of a $150,000 up-front payment.
All they need, according to "married, feminist, knitter", Marg B, is 90 grams of 8-ply wool, a circular needle, a set of DPNs and a wool needle.
The industrious Victorian has helped take the workplace campaign onto the world wide web, via her popular Knitaholic blog.
"This beanie," she tells visitors "is for one of my friends to wear at the upcoming Your Rights @ Work rally. I wanted it to be quite wearable out in public after the rally, hence I decided to just go for a subtle stripe on a basic black beanie."
Marg sets out all the requirements and details how to construct your own headgear on her website.
"Try not to buy any of the above from Spotlight until they stop offering staff AWAs that leave them worse off than if they were being paid the Award rate," she advises.
For more common sense, fashion tips, and knitting information, visit http://theknitaholic.blogspot.com/
Your Rights At Work - At A City Town Near You
The Your Rights At Work beanie is expected to make its fashion debut at the many events scheduled in the week of action set down for this week.
Some of the events planned include:
Australian Capital Territory
25 June, 1.30pm
What: Family and community supporters' event during half time at the Raiders v Roosters Rugby League match.
Where: Canberra Stadium, off Battye Street, Bruce, ACT.
28 June
What: Workplace "Orange Day.' Staff will wear orange, decorate their workplaces, wear Your Rights at Work merchandise.
28 June
What + where: Delegations of Canberra union members to Liberal Senator Gary Humphries' office. Including handing out Your Rights at Work flyers to people outside his office in Shop B12, Canberra Centre, Bunda Street, Canberra.
30 June, 10.30am
What + Where: 'Sea of Orange' - placement of thousands of orange ribbon 'flags' at Federation Mall between Old and New Parliament Houses.
For more information contact Unions ACT on 02 6247 7844 or visit their website: www.unionsact.org.au
New South Wales
28 June, 9am
Where: Blacktown Showground, Richmond Rd.
What: March and rally.
For more information contact Unions NSW on 02 9264 1691 or visit their website: www.unionsnsw.org.au.
Download IEU's public notice of support.
Regional NSW
Newcastle
28 June, 10 am
Where: Newcastle Panthers Club, King St
What: Rally
Bathurst
28 June, 12 noon
Where: Machatti Park, Bathurst
What: March and rally.
Gosford
28 June, 11:30
What + Where: Join the cavalcade of vehicles, starting at Adcock Park, West Gosford.
Also in Gosford on 28 June: handout leaflets at major railway stations in the morning, and all day, wear something orange (armband, clothing, ribbon, wristband etc.).
More info: Central Coast Unions 02 4362 7551 or www.centralcoastunions.org.au
Wollongong
28 June, 12 noon
Where: Fred Moore House, Wollongong
What: March through the Mall to Crown St. Speakers to address the community assembly outside the office of Liberal senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.
More info: Call South Coast Labour Council on 02 4229 2888 or visit their website: www.sclc.com.au
For more information on regional events in NSW contact Unions NSW on 02 9264 1691 or visit their website: www.unionsnsw.org.au
Northern Territory
28 June, 12 noon
Where: Raintree Park in the City Centre
What: Rally
More events to be finalised. For more information contact Unions NT phone 08 8941 0001 or email [email protected].
Queensland
Brisbane
28 June, 12 noon
Where: Southbank Cultural Forecourt
What: March through the city to Celebration Lawn at Roma St Parkland. Guest speaker Greg Combet.
For more information contact Queensland Council of Unions on 07 3846 2468 or visit their website: www.qcu.asn.au
South AustraliaAdelaide
26 June, 12.30 - 2.30
Where: Adelaide Town Hall
What: Delegates Seminar, guest speaker Greg Combet.
27 June, 5.30pm
What: "Just Work" - Eucumenical Church Service
Where: St Peter's Cathedral, King William Street, North Adelaide
28 June: Adelaide Rallies
Southern Rally
7.30am: outside Kim Richardson's office (lib MP), 209 Main South Road, Morphett Vale.
North East Rally
10am: outside Trish Draper's office (lib MP), 959 North East Road, Modbury.
City Rally
12 noon: Victoria Square
Northern Rally
12 noon: Outside David Fawcett's office (lib MP), shop 89 Munno Para Shopping Centre.
Whyalla
4.30pm: Corner of Horwood & Jamieson Street, with a march down the main street.
* More events to come.
* Regional rallies to be confirmed.
For more information contact SA Unions on 08 8279 2222 or visit their website: www.saunions.org.au
Tasmania
Launceston
28 June, 12 pm
Where + What: March from Princes Square to Rally at Albert Hall (12.30pm)
Hobart
1 July, 11 am
Where + What: Rally on Parliament House Lawns
28 June to 1 July
What: Jolly Jumbucks and the Gentle Art of Sedition - a dramatic performance. Jolly Jumbucks is a satirical study of childcare workers, the childcare industry, politics and the laws of sedition.
Contact: [email protected] or Unions Tas on 03 6234 9553.
For more information contact Unions Tas on 03 6234 9553 or visit their website: www.unionstas.com.au
Victoria
Melbourne
28 June, 10am
Where: Starting at Trades Hall (Carlton); Federation Square; Spring St; and Southern Cross Station (formerly Spencer St).
What: March from starting points to converge at Bourke St Mall for mass rally and demonstration.
For more information contact Victorian Trades Hall Council on 03 9662 3511 or visit their website: www.vthc.org.au
Deakin
June 29, 7.30am to 9.00am
Where: Phil Barresi's Office (Lib MP), Unit 5, 602 Whitehorse Road,Deakin Melways Ref 48 K9.
What: Breakfast protest in Phil Barresi's Office.
Victorian Regional Events
Ballarat
28 June, 11 am sharp
What: Community Cavalcade - Drive for Your Rights at Work.
Where: Cars assemble Victoria Park, Sturt St side, Ballarat. Final destination, with guest speakers, Vicinity Wendouree Village, Gillies St - at 12 noon.
More info: contact Ballarat Trades and Labour Council on 03 5332 3666.
Geelong
28 June, 1pm
Where: Starting points - Geelong Trades Hall, 127 Myer St; Geelong Hospital, Bellarine St; and Gordon Tafe, Johnston Park Area.
What: March into the CBD for community rally.
More info: contact Geelong Trades Hall on 03 5221 1712.
Albury & Wodonga
28 June, 12.30 - 1.30
Where: Albury & Wodonga
What: March up Jack Hore Place (Wodonga) to High St on to Wodonga Civic Centre. Guest speaker Julia Gillard.
More info: contact North East and Border Trades and Labour Council on 02 6024 5881.
Portland - 28 June, 10am Angling Club, Foreshore.
Warrnambool - 28 June, 11.15am Temperance Hall info stall, 12.15 speaker then march to Lib MP John Vogels' office.
More info: contact South West Trades and Labour Council on 03 5523 4272.
* Other regional centres should call their local TLC to see if buses going to the Melbourne rally are being arranged.
For more information contact Victorian Trades Hall Council on 03 9662 3511 or visit their website: www.vthc.org.au
Western Australia
Perth
25 June - 1 July
Wear ORANGE in the workplace - Protest unfair work laws by wearing orange to work during the week of action. Contact your union to collect some orange stickers or ribbons.
24 - 28 June
. Saturday 10-5
. Sunday 11-5
. Mon-Wed 8.30-5.30
What: Your Rights at Work Information stall - Got any questions about the IR laws? Come and have a chat to WA unionists.
Where: Murray St Mall, Perth
25 June, 12 noon
What + Umbrella: 'Shelter yourself, join your union.' Bring your brollie to the launch of the week of action. To demonstrate the importance of union membership unionists will launch the Week of Action by coming together under the umbrella of union membership. All welcome.
Where:Kings Square, corner of Adelaide St and Queens St Fremantle.
26 June
What: Your Rights at Work - worth giving blood for. Unionists to give blood at the Perth Red Cross, beginning on the 26th and continued throughout the week.
Where: Perth Red Cross (and blood banks around the State). To make an appointment call Red Cross Blood Service on 13 14 95
28 June, 12pm
What: Rally followed by a march (route to be determined). Live music and sausage sizzle.
Where: Russell Square, corner of Parker Ave and James St, Perth.
30 June, 12 noon
What: 'Scum Bag Employer Tour of Perth', Comedy Show Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Find out which employers are using the new IR laws to undercut Australian workers' wages and conditions, and have a laugh at the same time.
Where: 180 Hay St, East Perth
For more information contact Unions WA on 08 9328 7877 or visit their website: www.tlcwa.org.auThe inquiry is due to be finalised by December 23.
The Motor Traders Association told a NSW Legislative Council hearing into the effects of the new Howard laws that big business was a bigger problem for small business than unions, and that Workchoices was an inflexible administrative nightmare for "mum and dad" businesses across the state.
James McCall, chief executive of the MTA told the inquiry that WorkChoices would undermine efforts to increase the number of women in the industry because it would exacerbate family unfriendly hours, especially in car sales.
"The dealers do not want to open on Sunday because they lose money by opening on Sunday," says McCall. "Staff do not want to be there on Sunday, that is the reason they give for not pursuing a career in that area - the weekend work, but particularly the Sunday work."
McCall said that there were very few cars sold on a Sunday, that it was a time when buyers "kicked tyres", but pressure from manufacturers forced dealers to open.
The CEO of the MTA told the inquiry that the biggest threatr to small business didn't come from unioins, but from big business.
The complexity of the new laws and the cost of moving onto the new system was also an annoyance for small business according to McCall.
"If you get three lawyers in the room you will get four different opinions. The whole thing is very confusing for us as an association, let alone for our members.
"There may be a tendency for smaller mum and dad businesses to become proprietary companies. They do not want to, but they may well see some economic advantage in not going through that transition and incorporating."
The MTA praised the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union [AMWU), saying they are "a very positive and constructive contribution to the growth and the development of the industry".
The inquiry is continuing as Queensland commenced it's own inquiry, to be conducted by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC), who will examine the impact of the Howard Government's Work Choices legislation on workplaces, employees and employers.
New research shows an overwhelming majority of Australians want to know when their personal details are sent offshore because companies have outsourced jobs.
The research, commissioned by the Service Unions of Australia, representing more than 500,000 workers, finds 85 per cent of people believe it should make be compulsory for companies to disclose when data is stored in a foreign country.
Finance, communications and airline companies are leading the off-shoring surge as they move to dump Australian worker. Just last week, Telstra announced plans to dump another 2600 people.
Companies including AXA, ANZ, Coles Myer, Citigroup, Diners Club, Hutchison, NAB, Westpac, Optus, Telstra and Qantas have already off-shored work in IT, data processing and call centres.
The McNair Ingenuity Research, of 501 people surveyed nationally, showed:
- 89 percent believe the federal government should act to protect Australian workers from losing jobs offshore
- 85 percent believe the Government should require all financial institutions to disclose whether they store customer information overseas
- and 90 per cent said they would choose a business that stored their information in Australia rather than overseas.
The research also found specific concern over Qantas's plan to offshore work, with 86 percent agreeing Qantas should keep jobs in Australia.
A joint union policy paper, released with the research, shows that two million Australian jobs, across all sectors, could be sent offshore (based on OECD projections).
It recommends federal government legislation requiring companies to gain the express permission of consumers before any financial or personal information is sent offshore.
The unions involved in the project are the Finance Sector Union (FSU), the Australian Services Union (ASU), the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and the Communications Division of the CEPU.
The job losses follow CEO Sol Trujillo's promise to shed 12,000 jobs over the next three years.
Western Sydney will see 115 positions lost from the Parramatta dispatch call centre, while a similar scheduling operation in Bendigo will close at the cost of 58 positions. Remaining cuts will be spread across the Telstra empire.
CPSU Organiser Paul Morris says the cuts will hurt in regional Australia and are 'especially bad news for local communities and local economies'.
Meanwhile, Telstra technicians in Queensland are being monitored by satellite while on the job, with confirmation that 100 service vehicles have been fitted with GPS technology. The $25 million trial has raised fears of unrestricted surveillance of workers.
Telstra claims the trial will result in service improvements and denies the technology will be used covertly. The company came under pressure in August, last year, when it was revealed it was maintaining secret dossiers on staff detailing personal information not directly related to their employment.
Successful completion of the trial may see GPS fitted to all vehicles. Whether all staff will be tracked using satellite technology in the future is unclear, with the company unavailable for comment.
The Prime Minister tabled a press release riddled with inaccuracies from stationery distributor Esselte in Parliament, last week.
Esselte, and Howard, claimed AWAs that stripped workers of $65 a week had been withdrawn.
The day after Howard made the claim Esselte warehouse manager, Justin Reidy, was reminding workers that they "had to" sign the AWAs.
The Prime Minister put company propaganda to MPs, claiming that AWAs would leave workers better off, despite research showing they would strip workers of pay and conditions.
"A US company can put lies in the mouth of the Prime Minister but the fact remains that these AWAs are stealing money out of the pockets of hardworking Australians," says National Union Workers spokesperson, Mark Ptolemy.
The National Union of Workers say that Special Taskforce Investigators have "gone a bit softer" since their activities were revealed in Workers Online last week, but that their inquiries were continuing.
"The intimidation of workers is continuing," says Ptolemy. "But the NUW will not back down, we'll be supporting and fighting for these workers."
The three-year deal, endorsed last week, delivers 25 percent increases, against earnings cuts contained in a string of highly-publicised individual agreements.
Under the agreement, salaries of level one nurses will rise from $53,525 to $64,496 by March, 2009. The base rates of unit and ward managers will climb from 66,929 to $86,416.
The settlement brings Queensland nurses up to parity with colleagues in southern states.
Queensland Nurses Union secretary, Gay Hawksworth, said 71 percent of 11,455 nurses had voted to accept the Beattie Government offer.
She said recruitment and retention would be bolstered by the agreement.
Hawksworth compared the result with the wages nurses earned in private hospitals, under the control of federal government policies.
"If anyone is in any doubt that the Howard Government's agenda is to cut pay rates across society they should have a look at wage trends in the aged care industry over the last ten years," Hawksworth said.
"A couple of examples in Townsville prove just how poorly the current Federal Government treats nurses. A full-time, experienced assistant in nursing (AIN) at Pallarenda Garden Settlement is currently on about $625.00 per week and at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home he or she is on about $610.00.
"An equivalent AIN at the Townsville Hospital is on about $705.00. That's nearly $80.00 per week or $4000.00 per year in both cases and it's all because the Federal Government is committed to driving wages down in as many areas of the economy as possible."
Canberra brought into the row through the federal member for Herbert, Peter Lindsay, who told parliament the nurses settlement was "irresponsible".
Lindsay made his name telling constituents blatant lies about WorkChoices, including the following, still on his personal website: "Union claims that workers will lose penalty rates, overtime payments, long service leave and leaving loading are not correct."
Hawksworth said politicians like Lindsay were determined to push their low pay agenda into public hospitals.
"They seem to forget that their low-pay policies contributed to one of the most severe nurse shortages this country has faced for a long time. " she said.
The Council of Catholic School Parents is meeting with the NSW Board of Studies in a push to get workplace law in the State curriculum.
"There is a lot of evidence that kids who don't know any better are already taking a pretty poor deal in their first paid job," says Danielle Cronin, executive director of the council.
"This initiative was prompted by parents who were concerned about their children entering the workforce, under this new workplace environment, without adequate skills to bargain effectively."
Cronin says that kids are finding themselves in interviews where they have to bargain for their pay and work rights.
"Many parents feel our schools must now more explicitly deal with the reality of these new laws and the reality that kids who do have jobs may miss out because they don't have the skills to bargain for their work rights."
An Urgent Appeal From Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA
We need to raise money immediately so that the people of East Timor can rebuild their lives after the recent unrest.
Please send a generous gift to assist local organisations in rebuilding a peaceful, free and productive society in East Timor.
Click here to donate using our secure online donation form https://secure.fantasticone.com/apheda/order_form.php Select East Timor from the drop down menu under 'section C. Once Off donations'.
OR phone our toll free number 1800 888 674
OR send a cheque made out to APHEDA Inc. with a note alerting us that it is for the East Timor Appeal
The recent conflict in East Timor has severely disrupted the day-to-day lives of the population and has been a blow to the confidence of this young independent nation. Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA would like to provide additional support to its partner organisations in East Timor to help rebuild infrastructure and restore confidence. Support from donors like yourself can help make this happen.
Union Aid Abroad -APHEDA will need to quickly respond to the needs of local partner organisations in East Timor when they are able to resume their work. These key civil society organisations focus on strengthening vocational skills, developing the union movement, resolving conflict peacefully and informing the population through independent media.
Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA's partner organisations are likely to need assistance in the following: Repairing any damaged infrastructure or equipment Replacing stolen or damaged goods Restarting their programs Developing programs that encompass reconciliation and peace building activities using community radio and theatre groups Providing vocational and income generating skills to unemployed young men so they feel they have a share in the future of their community.
You can help by donating:
$1000 - To fund a vocational training workshop targeting young unemployed males $500 - To fund a theatre tour to rural villages to promote reconciliation $100 - To partially fund training for community radio stations on developing programs that support peace building and reconciliation $50 - To help make a gate to secure an office building $30 - To help replace stolen/destroyed office equipment
By donating to East Timor you will be helping the traumatised people of this nation redevelop confidence and hope that their nation can continue to grow and prosper.
You will be supporting programs that equip individuals and communities in East Timor with skills and experiences to create a peaceful, free and productive society.
Your support for the people of East Timor is so important for them at this difficult and unsettling time.
Jammin' For Justice
9 June 2006
Is a huge band competition aimed at educating us on how the new fucked up workers rights laws will affect us... ALL OF US.. Any local (local, Qbn, Cooma, Goulburn, Yass, Braidwood) band that are 18+ may enter. Your band can be any style (rock, country, hip hop, metal, indie etc.). Your band will be required to write 3 new songs containing lyrics from the new laws (you will be given a fact sheet upon successful regerstration). There will be 6 heats at the GR, 2 Semi's at the GR and the Final at the UNI. There are plently of prizes with high profile judges for the finals and a grand prize which consists of a 5 track EP Recording to the value of $10 000. Head to THE POT BELLY, BETTER MUSIC, PRO AUDIO, OSHEAS, TOAST, THE PHOENIX, ANU, SONGLAND, RAVEN CLOTHING or head to www.unionact.org.au
What is Going On in East Timor?
Where: Trades Hall Auditorium
What Happened, Why, Where to Next?
Is it a COUP in which Australia is playing a key role?
Come and hear informed friends of East Timor, plus East Timorese people explain these difficult times, and what we as friends of East Timor can do.
Pope Talks About Stuff
Monday 25 September 2006.
Brisbane Work and Industry Futures QUT, and the Department of Industrial Relations Griffith University are convening a one-day conference that explores Work, Industrial Relations and Popular Culture.
David Pope, the cartoonist behind the Heinrich Hinze cartoons will be Keynote Speaker with his presentation - "Is the pen mightier than s356? Cartoons and Work" (www.scratch.com.au)
We welcome any paper that explores the manner in which popular culture is used by unions, management or policy makers or alternatively, how work and industrial relations is represented within popular culture.
Sub-themes for the conference include: - Policy, Influence and Modern Mediums - Which is Reality, Work or TV? - Popular Music: Is it the End of the Working Class Man? - Working in the Movies: What do we see? - Popular Culture as a Teaching Tool. Call for Papers. Abstracts are due 14 July 2006 Full papers are due 11 September 2006 Location; Southbank, Brisbane.
The convenors would welcome participants to submit proposed titles earlier to assist in preparations. For further information please contact Keith Townsend ([email protected]) or David Peetz ([email protected])
Rekindling the Flames of Discontent: How the Labour and Folk Movements Work Together
A Conference - Dinner - Concert
The Brisbane Labour History Association is holding a Conference/Dinner/Concert on Saturday 23 September. This event will explore the historical relationship between the labour movement and the folk movement in Australia with a particular emphasis on Queensland.
Why? To celebrate the history of the interaction between the Folk and Labour movements, and promote its longevity.
When? Saturday 23 September. Conference from 1pm. Concert from 7pm.
Where? East Brisbane Bowls Club, Lytton Rd, East Brisbane, Next to Mowbray Park
It is still in the formative stages, but to date the following are confirmed:
1-5pm CONFERENCE (will include music with the presentations):
5 - 7pm Drinks followed by DINNER
7 - 11pm CONCERT
For more information contact the BLHA President Greg Mallory on [email protected], or Secretary Ted Reithmuller on [email protected], or Dale Jacobsen on [email protected]
Get Connected in the West
Your Rights at Work Family and Friends Community Day
Coast Goes Online
Check out the brand new Central Coast Your Rights at Work Website www.centralcoastrightsatwork.com.au
When: 06 July 2006
Start time: 12.00pm
Finish time: 2.00pm
Doug Eaton on John Manifold & the Communist Arts Group in Brisbane, Brisbane Realists
Bob & Margaret Fagan on Sydney Realist Writers
Mark Gregory on trade union & labour songs/music, nationally/internationally
Lachlan & Sue on international perspectives
Combined Unions Choir
Bob and Margaret Fagan
Mark Gregory
Jumping Fences
Penrith Lakes 12 June, 12.30pm
Contact Mary Yaager from Unions NSW for more information on 9286 1699
I am just an ordinary Australian trying to make ends meet. I am a carer for my elderly mother and i have had to gain part time work to make the money go round. It is not enough that I am constantly hassled by Centrelink, but I also believe that I am being cheated by the new workplace regulations. One of my part time jobs is a console operator at a local service station. To get the job i had to sign the workplace agreement, only to find that I am only being paid a basic rate of pay for casual work ($16.80 an hour) which increases once I have finished doing compulsory induction training (to $18.80 an hour) there are no penalty rates for weekends (I work mainly nights 6pm to midnight at weekends) or public holidays.m According to the federal award I would be entitled to $24.43 an hour for weekends and public holidays. Fair? I don't think so; used and abused more like it. I'm looking for other employment. At present I am definitely worse off under the new regulations.
Jan Wynd, Vic
When a union official turns up on any non-city site some blokes avoid him like the plague. Unless of course they need his help, cries of 'what has the union ever done for me' and 'I don't have to be in a union' can be heard at such times.
But rest assured you will not hear keep the increases unions won during the EBA. Or keep your lock down weekends, I never asked for them!
Time to be honest blokes, the history of the union movement and fairness at work are the same story. Thousands of acts of guts and solidarity, some by just one bloke who stood proud.
Once not even boots came free, for some they do not now, 44 hours at single rates of pay, included Saturday mornings that's what was worked once. I ask that we each undertake to get two new members for our union, whatever one that is, not same numbers stagnation, but growth for all unions.
And just once get to hear and understand Robbos speach he gives at the your rights at work bus. If I can not fire you up, Robbo surely can!
But surely fire up we must! Get of the fence we must! Understand why we must win, and understand what a loss means to our kids.
Allan 'Belly' Bell
That great Scottish political economist and moral philosopher stated in his book the Wealth Of Nations and the cry of the previously inflexible predators reinforces this statement.
... man has almost constant occasion for the help of his brethren, and it is in vain for him to expect it from their benevolence only... It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love...While confessing to be a passionate listener to that infamous Shock Jock , Alan Jones , his latest tilt at attention seeking by supporting these maverick contract truck drivers smacks of gross hypocrisy.
There were no protestations when Sartor and Maddock (aka Frankenstein and Gregorious ) were going through staff at the City of Sydney , in fact he eulogized Maddock in one of his pontifications.
These drivers are only concerned about their own interests!
Where were these brewery Bastards they when were downsizing the real battlers?
They were nowhere to be seen?
Why? Because they were informed they would not be affected in the restructures!
Get real; these money hungry bastards are not on Struggle Street, they are just predators who have met a bigger better and nastier dog!
Ben Doonagain, NSW
Some of the less scrutinised clauses in WorkChoices relate to industrial action, and the severe restrictions that now apply.
Employers now have no option but to dock workers who attend rallies this week four hours pay. In the construction industry, it goes even further, where workers face criminal charges under the government's special laws for the building industry.
Some employees, emboldend by the new powers are going further - Australia Post, for example, is threatening to take formal disciplinary action against workers who march.
These threats will keep some works away, but they also turn those who to attend into heroes, prepared to put their own well being on the line.
It is just the pointy end of an all-out assault on the right to strike - with costly secret ballots now required before workers can with hold their labour.
At the same time the government has handed itself unprecedented power to rule any strike unlawful, exposing unions and individual workers to any economic loss incurred.
But if you think this creates an even bargaining filed, think again. The ability of employers to launch their own form of industrial action - the lock-pout (incidentally the only form of industrial action that is on the rise) has been enhanced by WorkChoices.
In fact, employers are no longer required to negotiate with their workers and have the legal right to stone-wall enterprise bargains till an agreement expires, at which point all conditions about the five minimum standards are stripped away.
And if the employer wants to sack the workforce and rehire them on AWAs at inferior conditions, the Office of Workplace Relations says go right ahead.
If the rules are so loaded against industrial action, what about using your political power as economic citizens, you may ask?
Here again, business has written the laws to protect their interests; the Trade Practices Act renders it illegal to call for consumer boycotts against companies that abuse their workers.
So while we can this week say that we will not be drinking any Tooheys after the shameful way the brewery has treated its contractors and we can encourage to think about the beverage you imbibe, we can not call for a boycott without risking the attention of the ACCC.
If all else fails, one could hope that the Federal Parliament would scrutinise the new laws; but here again the Howard Government has tightened the screws, winding back the Senate Committee system; softening the laws around political donations while making it harder for young people to register to vote.
The test of a vibrant democracy has always been its capacity of its citizens to critique their government - think suffragettes, think civil rights, think Vietnam.
Now we are moving backward, the legal right to raise questions and take action is being wound back under the guise of labour market flexibility in a way that should mobilise all Australian workers this week. No matter the threats.
Peter Lewis
Editor
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