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Crude Politics
It is one of the great mysteries of Australian politics that the Prime Minister has managed to emerge unscathed from one of the most profound geo-political misadventures since history was first recorded.
Interview: A Life And Death Matter
Macquarie Street and Canberra are squaring off over safety in the workplace, NSW Minister for Industrial relations, John Della Bosca, explains what's at stake.
Unions: Fighting Back
When John Howard's building industry enforcer started threatening people's homes, one couple hit the road. Jim Marr met them in Sydney.
Industrial: What Cowra Means
The ruling on the Cowra abattoir case highlights the implications of the new IR rules, according to John Howe and Jill Murray
Environment: Scrambling for Energy Security
Howard Government hypocrisy is showcased in its climate change manoeuvring, Stuart Rosewarne writes:
Politics: Page Turner
A new book leaves no doubt about whether the faction came before the ego, Nathan Brown writes.
Economics: The State of Labour
The capacity of the state to shape the political economy and thus improve the social lives of the people must be reasserted, argues Geoff Dow.
International: Workers Blood For Oil
A new book by Abdullah Muhsin and Alan Johnson lifts the lid on the bloody reality of US backed democracy for Iraq's trade unions
History: Liberty in Spain
Worker Self-Management is good management. The proof in Spain was in Catalania, Andalusia and continues in the Basque Country, as Neale Towart explains.
Review: Go Roys, Make A Noise
Phil Doyle thought he'd find nostalgia, but instead Vulgar Press' new book, Maroon & Blue is a penetrating insight into the suburban mind under stress.
 Howard Amps Up Repression
Andrews on the Fiddle
Robbo Flags Mobile Holidays
Shop Group Maroons Kids
Condition Critical
BHP Confronts Chilean Resistance
The Thin Yellow Line
Safety Goes to the Dogs
Pollies Wings Clipped By Junket Ban
Technicians Win Action Ballot
Academics Take Contract Lessons
Hardie, Ha, Ha - Directors Laughing
Amcor Sends Hundreds Packing
Warren Goes to Ground
Activist's What's On!
The Locker Room
Ruled Out
Phil Doyle plays by the rules Fiction
Tommy's Apprentice
Chapter One - Tommy and "The Boy" Politics
Westie Wing
Ian West wonders what might happen if the NSW Coalition actually did win power next March at the State elections.
Seek and Ye Shall Find
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News
Shop Group Maroons Kids
A peak retail body in Queensland is using WorkChoices to promote deals that rob young people of minimum shifts and annual holidays.
The Queensland Retail Traders and Shopkeepers Association (QRTSA) is flogging a $750 deal to show bosses how to bypass award conditions.
An advertisement posted on the association's website promises to let bosses in on the secrets of how to:
- make casuals work more than 30 hours per week;
- combine meal and rest breaks;
- chip away at public holiday rates;
- use a flat weekend rate;
- cash out annual leave;
- make workers pay for till shortages;
- make workers pay for their uniforms; and
- have workers provide medical certificates for one day absences.
The ad says an agreement with these conditions "may make your business more attractive to potential purchasers!"
"In fact, your workplace agreement could be one staff meeting away!"
ACTU president Sharan Burrow labelled the association's approach "the ugly side of the Howard Government's new IR laws".
"The QRTSA is even encouraging retailers to take advantage of the Federal Government's new IR laws to exploit young people by requiring juniors to work short shifts and avoid paying for a minimum block of three hours," Burrow said.
"If one employer takes up the opportunity that the Federal Government has given it to cut wages and conditions you can be sure that it won't be long before others are forced to follow suit."
Awards, such as the National Fast Food Retail Award, require a minimum of three hours paid work for each rostered day.
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Issue 321 contents
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