
Issue No 44		03 March 2000

News

Track Workers Face Spot Drug Tests

Rail maintenance workers are being forced to sign individual contracts that include spot drug and alcohol tests, and private motor vehicle inspections by a NSW government-owned corporation.

Rail Services Australia are issuing the contracts to all workers seeking employment or promotion on a take it or leave it basis.

The common law contracts do not even need to meet the requirements of a 'no disadvatage test' accorded to Australian Workplace Agreements and are outside the jurisdiction of the industrial relations commission.

Unions fear they are an attempt to roll back conditions and place new requirements on workers, that they would not be able to negotiate collectively.

Workers are objecting to key provisions including the requirement that workers submit to medical examinations, including drug and alcohol testing, whenever RSA deems appropriate

They will also be subject to spot security searches, including access to workers lockers and cars. The contracts were first offered to engineers and salaried staff with RSA, but are now being extend to all employees within the organisation including base grade fettlers.

APESMA, one of the union's affected, says the search power of people's vehicles extend beyond the power of the NSW Police Service.

"That this is happening under a Labor Government is utter disgrace," APESMA industrial officer Phil Marchionni says.

"This is opportunity for RSA to have a sensible discussion about the workforce they want, rather than adopting these sorts of bullying tactics."

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Issue 44 contents

Interview: The Big Fella
Opposition Leader Kim Beazley speaks about Labor�s evolving relationship with the trade union movement in the post-Accord era.

Unions: An Interactive Resource
The priority for unions in the 21st century is organising and growth. Greg Combet�s unions @work report identified the direction unions should be moving.

Media: Public Hearings
As the big media players look increasingly tarnished, the broadcasting minnows like FBi are seeking their share of the airwaves.

History: Labour History Under Siege
In good labour tradition, the history section of Workers Online begins the year with a call to arms.

Olympics: Games Greed Boosts Homeless Numbers
'Homeless in Sydney' is shaping up to be the theme of the Olympics with many property owners evicting tenants and pushing up rents.

Women: No Time To Be Casual
International Women�s Day is a day to take action. As a shop steward or union delegate why not use IWD as an opportunity to encourage the women in your workplace to join the union?

International: Serbian And Kosovo Unions Meet
The Italian metalworkers has hosted meetings on how to build a different future for the workers in the Balkans.

Labour Review: What's New
Read the latest issue of Labour Review our resource for students, activists and officials.

Review: Rock and a Hard Place
A hippie festival? Alternative? No way...the music festival know as the Big Day Out (BDO) is fast becoming a mainstream youth cultural event, a snapshot of the broader society that unions are struggling to engage.

» Directors: Two Strikes And You�re Out

» Track Workers Face Spot Drug Tests

» Big Bird Fights Ansett Jobs Flight

» LaborNet A Step Forward in Democracy

» From the Lorry to the Creche, We're Watching

» Penal Provisions Against Teachers Condemned

» Auditor General Moves on TAFE

» Yahoo! Under Fire for Union Censorship

» Unrest Bubbles Over Coke Sackings

» Jennie To Sign Off Online

» Basic Goods Sought for East Timorese

» Western Sydney Added to Campus Tour

» Pay Equity Update

» STOP PRESS: Mac Attack Tuesday