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| Issue No 38 |  |
05 November 1999 |
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Letters to the EditorLines of Demarcation
I notice the article by Maguire on competitive unions argues for essential no demarcation barriers. The short term eventualities of such decision would have unions pitted against union. The reality is that like in most other industries unions (acting in self interest or self preservation) would more than likely target the traditional unionised industries. While fighting over an ever decreasing pie, those newer, more challenging industries develop without a culture of unionism being fostered. Yet the substance of the arguement is correct. Unions clearly need to extend their current reach, but the obvious point for many unions is where, how? And even so in many tradition industries whereby union membership is a tradition there are many who have never been reached by unionism. In agriculture for instance only 7% of the labour is unionised. On this topic, how do peak organisations like the Labor Council and the ACTU foster developing membership in new industries without running into unions who perceive that this is just an attack on them or their patch? While globalisation and further integration into the world economy is a fact of life, this provides more opportunity and more scope for unions to play a vital role in workers lives while this adjustment takes place. Given the current political and idealogical environment is it ironic that the touchstone of change, egalitarianism and a fair go, unions, are perhaps in themselves the most conservative institutions. After all a leader of a union wants more than one term. Geoff Southern, Yenda.
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   Interview: Peter ReithWe�ve fought him for the last four years, perhaps it�s time to try to understand him. Education: The Boston StranglerIf the teachers' salaries "offer" had been any good, John Aquilina, the Minister for Good News Only, would have made the announcement and been seen to promote it. Economics: Key IndicatorsA new ILO publication provides real cross national comparisons which show that Australian workplaces rate very well on productivity, wages and non wage measures Unions: Dili's Union PresenceThe International Federation of Journalists� Safety Office for the Media in East Timor (SOMET) is conducting an investigation into the recent killings of two journalists in East Timor. History: Maritime Dispute RecordsA Joint ACTU � ASSLH project will identify and preserve as many records as possible arising from the 1997-98 Maritime Dispute. International: Western Mining into Guns and GoldAn Australian mining company, Western Mining Company Limited (WMCL), has effectively won the support of the Philippines army in its battle with traditional owners in Southern Mindano. Satire: Gay Scientists Isolate Christian GeneGay scientists today released a study which, they claim, at last identifies the �Christian Gene". Labour Review: What's New in the Information CentreView the latest issue of Labour Review, our resource for students, delegates and officials.
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