Issue No 37 | 29 October 1999 | |
NewsChild Carers Fight Christmas Lay-Offs
Child care workers are fighting a push by the industry's biggest employer to move them onto fixed term contracts that would see them engaged on a seasonal basis from March to November - then terminated - then re-employed for the following year.
The application by KU Children's Services has potential ramifications across the child care industry and in other industries where their might be fluctuations in demand over the year, particularly the summer holiday period. The Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers union have been fighting the push in long-running proceedings in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission before Justice Glynn, arguing the contracts would undermine security and eliminate important conditions like long service leave. The arbitration has been for before JusticeGlynn for over two years - as both sides bring witnesses to support their case. Workers from KU and similar services have testified that without the summer work they have to go into debt. LHMU state secretary Annie Owens says the case is a major battle for a workforce that is overwhelmingly female, who work in an isolated environment and have little industrial bargaining strength." "The LHMU has argued that child care workers deserve better conditions because of dramatic changes in the industry over the years, but here we have employers attempting to take what they already have away" Owen says. The LHMU is running a sepearate action to have child care award rates increased and improved conditions such as child-free crib breaks and paid preparation time. The Labor Council has intervened in support of the LHMU and have been granted leave to intervene.
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Republic: Yes, It's Time Opposition leader Kim Beazley invoked the spirit of '72 when he launched the ALP's Republic campaign. Interview: What Price a Just Republic? Magistrate Pat O�Shane is far from happy with the republican model. But she still believes a Yes vote is her best chance for genuine constitutional reform. Economics: Who the EFIC are you? If you have not heard of Export Credit Agencies, don't be surprised because it seems they're not too interested in letting the public know what they do. Unions: Old Habits Die Hard With the release of its blue print unions@work the ACTU seems to know where it wants to go. But again it has failed to face up to the underlying structural issues preventing it from getting there. Legal: Second Wave: Reith's Non-Right to Strike Peter Reith has called his new laws the Workplace relations Amendment (More Jobs Better Pay) Bill 1999. If legislation is to carry these new, colloquial titles then the �More Control, Less Freedom� Bill would be a better title. International: Wahid�s New Team Indonesias new government is blemished by Suharto-era appointees but an advance for reform, says Indonesia�s trade unions. History: They Fought Them on the Airwaves Radio broadcasts were an important weapon in the long-running struggle for equal pay. Satire: Revealed: SOCOG Reserving Gold Medals for Tattersalls The scandal over the secret allotment of premium tickets for the 2000 Olympics escalated today with the news that members of Sydney�s elite Tattersall�s Club will receive Gold Medals without actually competing. Review: What The Age Wouldn�t Print Some time before Monday 18 October, Age editor Michael Gawenda saw red and then got out his blue pencil. An article, heavily critical of Robert Manne, written by Overland editor Ian Syson, was pulled by Gawenda.
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