
Issue No 53		12 May 2000

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

News

Games Rail Service in Limbo

State Rail will be forced to find an extra 3,000 temporary staff after rail workers this week withdrew co-operation from pre-Games preparation over the rejection of their Olympics bonus claim.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union says it's withdrawn from all cooperation and negotiations in Olympics-related issues because of the State Government's stalling tactics in finalizing its $100-a-day Olympics allowance.

RTBU state secretary Nick Lewocki says the claims have been on the table since January 1998 and had been raised as an outstanding issue in every enterprise agreement since then.

The workers are now working strictly to their current award provisions and rostering principles and are refusing to take part in any Games planning.

This includes training on issues like crowd control and security that are essential for the transport system to operate during the Games. Without them the transport system will not be safe to operate, Lewocki warns.

He says the government will have to recruit these extra workers in the next three weeks if the Games transport is to progress smoothly.

The RTBU says its members deserve the bonus because of the increased demands the Games will bring, with public transport scheduled to run at 23-hour per day peaks.

Still Waiting on New Years Eve Pay

Meanwhile, workers at the Port Kembla Port Corporation are still waiting on the special bonus negotiated for all public sector workers required to work New Years Eve.

Maritime Union of Australia branch secretary Robert Coombs says the Corporation is refusing payment, claiming the "payment is discretionary and does not apply to corporatised entities".

NSW Labor Council secretary Michael Costa says this is nonsense and that the deal covers all government-owned authorities.

"I don't know what's going on but if it continues the management ought to be sacked," Costa says.

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Issue 53 contents

Interview: The Fruitful Shaw
After ten years in Parliament, NSW Industrial Relations Minister Jeff Shaw looks at some mountains still to be climbed.

Politics: Budget in Reply
Opposition Leader Kim Beazley replies to the Federal budget and paints Labor's alternative vision for the future.

Economics: Petition to Move a Mountain
A child born in Zambia or Tanzania or Bolivia owes more to international creditors than she or he will ever earn in a lifetime.

International: Solidarity in a Cold Climate
After an overnight bargaining marathon, Norway's unions have secured most of their main demands and have now ended their nationwide strike.

Health: Workers Health Centre Comes of Age
In 2001, the Workers Health Centre will celebrate its 25th anniversary, making it the longest running independent trade union based health and safety service in the country.

History: A Tribute to the Fallen
A Canadian tractor operator is seeking help to produce a book on monuments to people killed in the workplace.

Satire: Ralph Web Ring Busted
Following the dismissal of 27 Telstra employees last week for downloading hardcore pornography on their work computers, Ralph magazine sacked five employees yesterday for downloading positive images of women.

Review: Waterfront - Through the Reporters' Eyes
Fairfax journalists Helen Trinca and Anne Davies have skillfully transformed the waterfront war into the sort of thriller that any self-respecting Hollywood mogul would reject for being too wild to be true.

» Costello Backs National GST Pay Claim

» Conference Call: Support the NSW Way

» Games Rail Service in Limbo

» Shaw Moves on Email Protection

» Salami Reform: Reith Chops Up the Nasties

» Advocate in Trouble Over Rural Sackings

» Unionists take to Streets for May Day 2000

» Shareholders Rattle Rinto Tinto Cage

» Joy Dispute Widens With Midnight Run

» Employers Fail to Defy History

» Indonesian Labor Educator Reports to Local Unions

» Big Drum-Up This Wednesday