
Issue No 44		03 March 2000

News

Big Bird Fights Ansett Jobs Flight

A giant emu has emerged to champion Australian workers as Ansett staff face the prospect of job losses in the wake of the airline's takeover by Air New Zealand.


	Eddie the Emu

Aussie Jobs Crusader 'Eddie the Emu' has joined forces with the Australian Services Union to ensure that thousands of skilled jobs in information technology, administration, finance and engineering are not relocated across the Tasman

Eddie has taken time out from his regular gig on the national coat of arms to fill the role of campaign mascot and support workers at airport protests. He also made an appearance at last weekend's AFL Ansett Cup Grand Final in Melbourne.

A spokesman for Eddie says he's partially motivated by his long-term rivalry with the Kiwi, although he also felt a responsibility to ordinary Australia's who he represents

Eddie is also targeting the Howard Government, which he says has a key role in securing these jobs for Australians by putting conditions on this foreign investment.

You too can help Eddie's campaign by copying and pasting the message below onto the Prime Ministers comments page, or by composing your own message, at http://www.pm.gov.au/comments.htm

Messages of support for the campaign may be sent to mailto:[email protected]

***************

Cut and Paste this Message

Dear Prime Minister,

I am concerned about the implications for jobs in Australia of the Air New Zealand takeover of Ansett Australia.

Jobs will be lost and opportunities for young Australians to work in this industry will be cut if conditions are not put on Air New Zealand's takeover.

I do not want to see high value skilled jobs go across to New Zealand at the expense of our young people - we will all be the poorer for this. I also believe that there will be flow on effects in the rest of the industry.

I urge the Government to put conditions on the sale to Air New Zealand which will keep Ansett's headquarters and jobs in Australia and which will ensure the continuing growth of Ansett International.

Please, I ask you to stand up for Australian jobs.

Yours sincerely.

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Issue 44 contents

Interview: The Big Fella
Opposition Leader Kim Beazley speaks about Laborďż˝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 Combetďż˝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 Womenďż˝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 Youďż˝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