
Issue No 45		10 March 2000

News

Casuals Inquiry Still On Union Agenda

NSW workers are maintaining pressure on the Carr Government to investigate the impact of casual work on their lives, following the resignation of the woman they want to chair the inquiry, ACTU president Jennie George.

NSW Labor Council secretary Michael Costa reiterated the labour movement's support for the proposed inquiry, as he officially farewelled George from the job at a dinner in Sydney this week.

The Labor Council has proposed the inquiry, which has the support of the labour hire industry and key employer groups, as an important step in the process of properly regulating the labour hire industry.

"We believe Jennie is the appropriate person to chair this inquiry, given her broad experience and understanding of working people," Costa said.

It is understood that the Carr Government is considering the inquiry, which was put to it in a range of reform packages more than six months ago.

George has been appointed to a position on the Delta Electricity board, nominated by the Labor Council, but has so far failed to secure her stated ambition of a seat in the NSW Upper House.

But she told the dinner she is open-minded about her future. "There are times when you just have to put sit back and let fate step in."

Loggin Off

Meanwhile, George signed off as ACTU president this week by opening the Virtual Trades Hall auditorium with a successful chat session on the perils of casual work.

George fielded a wide range of questions from young women workers about the nature of casual work and what practical steps could be taken to

One of the themes that came through the chat was that not all people object to casual work, they just want to know what their rights are to ensure they have a decent working life.

A recurring question was: if I'm in a small workplace, how can I make a stand against the boss on my own?

Jennie response? Don't stick your neck out, discuss the issues that concern you with your colleagues first, use your collective power rather than going one out.

See some of the tributes to Jennie is Trades Hall and view a copy of Jennie's farewell speech on The Soapbox

View entire issue - print all of the articles!

Issue 45 contents

Interview: Working Women
Nareen Young talks about how services are being delivered to our most vulnerable workers - and what unions need to do to make them their own.

Unions: Into the New Frontier
IT professionals are part of the new workforce that unions need to win over - and while they are often contractors, they're workers too.

History: Handling The Ladies
1943 - women were filling the gap in the workforce left by the diggers abroad and Australian managers needed some advice on how to deal with these strange creatures.

Technology: Building The Hypermacho Man
In a stinging critque of the �Wired� culture, Melanie Stewart Miller argues digital cultural is creating a new super-Man.

International: The Long March Home
Trade union women round the world used International Women�s Day to launch the World March of Women Against Poverty and Violence.

Satire: Kerosene Dilution Racket
The nursing home industry has been rocked by a new scandal with the revelation that some unscrupulous proprietors have been diluting their patients� kerosene baths with illicit liquids.

Review: Power and the Back Bar
In an upcoming book, Julia Gillard argues the ALP retains a male culture that is fast losing step with contemporary society.

» Services Threatened Over Olympic Bonus

» Games Edict: Dance for Free

» Revealed: Secret State Transit Corporatisation Plans

» Women Demand Better Pay from Faye

» Telstra, Banks Whack Rural Australia

» Casuals Inquiry Still On Union Agenda

» Shaw, Sams Pay Tribute to John Whelan

» Teachers� Website Mysteriously Blocked

» Cash Bonus for Bilingual Workers

» Women Demand Better Pay from Faye

» Shareholders Push Global Action

» Fair Wear Conquers Schools

» TWU Calls on Workers to Steer Clear of Woolworths

» Push to Strike Out Parrish Directors