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Issue No. 316 21 July 2006  
E D I T O R I A L

Call Security
There's a bloke, a pollster, prowling the country with a tale for the centre-left about messages and constituencies.

F E A T U R E S

Interview: The Month Of Living Dangerously
When the mobs took over the streets of Dili it was the people of East Timor that bore the brunt. Elisabeth Lino de Araujo from Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA was there to witness what happened.

Unions: Staying Mum
Penrith mums, Linda Everingham and Jo Jacobson, are at the heart of a grassroots campaign to boot Jackie Kelly, out of federal parliament. Jim Marr caught up with one half of the sister act.

Economics: Precious Metals
There's a lot of spin around AWAs in the mining industry, but Tony Maher argues all that glitters is not gold.

Industrial: The Cold 100
The Iemma Government has come up with 100 reasons why WorkChoices is a dud, with 100 examples of ripped off workers

History: The Vinegar Hill Mob
This month's Blacktown Rally was not the first time workers had stood up for their rights in the region, writes Andrew Moore.

Legal: Free Agents
Is an independent contractor a small businessperson or a worker? The answer depends upon whether the contractor is genuinely �independent� or not, writes Even Jones.

Politics: Under The Influence
Bob Gould thinks Sonny Bill Williams is a hunk; he reveals all in a left wing view of The Bulletin�s 100 most influential Australians, questioning the relevance of some, and adding a few of his own.

International: How Swede It Was
Geoff Dow pays tribute to the passing of Rudolf Meidner, one of the architects of the Swedish model of capitalism.

Review: Keating's Men Slam Dance on Howard
These punk rockers are out to KO WorkChoices. Nathan Brown joins the fray.

N E W S

 Hendification Blurs WorkChoices ll

 Visa Rorts Minister Urged to Quit

 Organiser On Front Line

 Fire Brigade Chokes on Tests

 Union Backs Man of Steel

 $3 Billion Dollar Chalkies

 Lib Pans Telstra Job Cuts

 James Hardie Joins AWA Crusade

 Job Network Unravels

 Andrews Discovers Irony

 Big Business Bashes Bush

 Howard Pinches Pay

 Tilers Spark Korean Protest

 Activists What's On

C O L U M N S

The Soapbox
Work Choice: US Military Style
John Howard has learnt a few lessons on workers rights from his Texan buddy, writes Rowan Cahill.

Politics
Westie Wing
As Pru Goward slams into the glass ceiling of the NSW Liberal Party, Ian West considers how women are faring under the Howard-Costello Government.

The Locker Room
A World Away
Phil Doyle is pleased that a display of subtle beauty and athletic grace has been overtaken by some good old-fashioned mindless violence

L E T T E R S
 Balancing Act
 Sick of Ants
 Swimming Uphill
 Praise from Belly
WHAT YOU CAN DO
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News

Big Business Bashes Bush


Multinational Nestle has axed almost 50 jobs in the central western NSW town of Blayney a week after retail giant Coles stripped 1,000 jobs out of regional Australia.

Workers have slammed the move that will see one third of staff at Purina PetCare factory, one of the town's largest employers, will retrench 44 workers by September 2006.

"First Cowra, then the Coles workers at Somersby, now workers at Blayney," Derrick Belan, NUW state secretary. "Under Howard's new harsh workplace laws companies sack large numbers of workers because the law allows them to.

"It is a disturbing trend, one which financially cripples regional areas as well as the workers involved and their families."

The NUW say they will be calling on the state and federal governments to intervene in Nestl� Purina's decision.

"We need to help our regional communities, not fracture them," says Belan. "John Howard may say it is easy for people to 'cross the road' to find another job, but in a country town like Blayney, the reality is very different.

Meanwhile Belan has labelled Coles latest moves in sacking warehouse workers at Somersby on the central coast as " an act of breathtaking bastardry", after the retail giant was caught out lying about the number of positions available for redeployment.

Coles executives have stated today that only 3 managerial positions and a handful of casual spots are available for the 440 ex-Somersby warehouse workers.

The casual positions offer reduced wages and no guaranteed permanency.

Coles have threatened warehouse workers not to speak to the media as this would be a "breach of behavioral standards"

"How can Coles Myer talk of 'standards'? This threat is a sick joke from a group of executives whose only standards is to shaft workers and then insult them with threats and hollow promises," says Derrick Belan.


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