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Independent of Facts
John Howard's mastery of the big lie was evident again this week.
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.
 Howard Chews Up Lollipop Men
Ridout: WorkChoices �Revolutionary�
Voters: WorkChoices Rotten
Terror: WorkChoices Rule
Bussies Go Gangbusters
Strikers Drive Deal
Australia Faces Jobs Meltdown
Fat Lady Sings at Opera House
PM's Pick Burns Fire Fighters
Spooks Tail Early Risers
Telstra Boss Gets Crossed Line
Prof: Fair Pay Should Be Lower
TNT Snub is Dynamite
Activist's What's On!
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
Balancing Act
Swimming Uphill
Help is at Hand
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News
Howard Chews Up Lollipop Men
AWAs are being used to slash the earnings of traffic controllers across NSW.
The AWU claims Blacktown-based Complete Traffic Services is using AWAs to slash wages in regional NSW, by $32 a week, increase working hours and junk security of employment.
State secretary, Russ Collison, says the rogue operator is breaking health and safety regulations by handing out traffic contractors tickets to employees who haven't done mandatory inductions.
He says when his union began back pay claims for several Grafton-based members, the company typed up letters indicating individuals wanted to resign from the union and told them if they didn't sign their jobs were on the line.
"This company had unregistered AWAs. They were unregistered because they undercut the award and didn't meet the old no-disadvantage test," Collison said.
"When WorkChoices came in they registered their AWAs.
"We began back pay action for several members who were approached by Gerard O'Neill from Complete Traffic Services with letters authorising their resignation from the union.
"He told them to sign or risk their employment with the company."
Worse still, Collison says, the rogue operator has been rewarded with a 12-month state government contract.
Collision says Complete Traffic Services AWAs undercut the award rate by 38 cents an hour, increase weekly hours from 38-40; reduce overtime rates; impose a three-year wage freeze; and turn regular employees into casuals.
"This is John Howard's gift to regional Australia," Collison said. "Try telling these people that they can just walk away and get another job."
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Issue 317 contents
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