
Issue No 46		17 March 2000

News

SOCOG Agrees: Ceremonies Not an Eisteddfod

Olympic organisers have agreed to allocate positions for paid performers at the Sydney 2000 opening and closing ceremonies, following pressure from the MEAA.

In talks this week, ceremony producers have agreed that 147 paid performers participate and agreed to enter into further discussions about an acceptable mix of professional performers and amateur participants.

As reported in Workers Online last week, the MEAA had warned that the ceremonies would resemble a school Eisteddfod if organisers had stuck with plans to use volunteer performers only.

"Appropriately, the opening ceremony will allow the participation of over 11,700

members of community groups, dance groups, marching bands and high school performing groups," MEAA state secretary Michel Hryce says.

"What the union wants is recognition of the professionalism that the small component of performers will bring to the event and appropriate payment. "

Hryce says so far, SOCOG is willing to pay 1.19% of the total participants in the opening ceremony. The union says professional involvement should be closer to 5% to ensure the necessary level of performers with specialist skills and expertise necessary to stage the event.

Negotiations continue with the next meeting scheduled for 10.00am Thursday 23 March 2000.

Unions to Table Olympics Claim at SLAC

Meanwhile, unions will use Monday's meeting of the State Labour Advisory Council to push for an Olympics allowance for public sector workers whose duties are altered for the Games.

Workers including rail workers, emergency services and health workers whose rostered will be changed to meet with the massive demand want some form of recognition from the government.

Labor Council secretary Michael Costa says its an issue the government can't duck if it wants to ensure the Games run smoothly.

Other issues on the SLAC agenda include the victims compensation and the outsourcing of work from government agencies to non-union call centres.

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  Issue 46 contents

Interview: Bob Carr�s Awful Truth
The NSW Premier on Laborism, factions and why the Cabinet Office isn't running the state.

Unions: The Stellar Experiment
The agenda for the future job-shedding program by Telstra has been revealed via it's bastard child, Stellar.

Technology: Roboboss is Watching You
Behind the hype of the information age is a sinister side where workplace surveillance robs employees of all privacy and dignity. Sometimes, though, it provides welcome security.

International: Kiwi Reforms To Spark Union Revival
The head of the New Zealand trade union movement is optimistic that workers will come back to unions once a fair industrial relations framework is put in place.

Politics: Ethical Politics and the Clinton Affair
The vote by the US House of Representatives in December, 1998 on whether to impeach President Bill Clinton could be regarded as a debate about the acceptability of dirty-handed politics.

History: Living Library
Sydney�s Mitchell Library archives house some of the most extensive records of our political heritage.

Satire: Reconciliation, Aussie Style
The majority of Austrlaians want Aboriginals to adopt �our� values: �Why can�t they be ignorant racists too?�

Review: Casino Oz
Laurie Aarons' new book puts the spotlight on the growing gap being the rich and the poor.

» Carr Vows to Move on Casuals

» NSW Government in Hot Seat Over Individual Contracts

» Telstra Troubleshooter Bombs Stellar

» Illegal immigrants Working Next Door to PM

» Education Department Hit By Massive Fine

» Victims Comp Changes Exclude Traumatised Worker

» SOCOG Agrees: Ceremonies Not an Eisteddfod

» Senate Guts 'Ships from Hell' Bill

» Campaigners Seek Dissident Web Domains

» The Soapbox

» The Locker Room

» Trades Hall

» Tool Shed

» The Real Big Fella

» That's It For Labor

» Join Australia's Gas Out

» Tribute to Jennie

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