
Issue No 61		07 July 2000

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News

The Future Starts Now for Youth Charter

By Andrew Casey

A story about a young worker with a nose stud - reported by Workers Online last week - has caused a fissure of excitement in the mainstream media - discussed on JJJ and making it a page one picture story for the Canberra Times.

It was a case of youth culture clashing with work culture.

Should Belinda Faulkingham - employed at the Woden Tradesmen's Union Club in Canberra - be forced to quit her job because she has a discreet nose stud?

That was the story on Workers Online - and it has become a talking-point issue on a variety of radio stations.

The rights of young people in the workplace is one that needs to be promoted by trade unions.

Belinda's union - the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union (LHMU)- is active in Canberra in the creation of a Youth Charter.

The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) is currently running a Youth Campaign on the theme " The Future Starts Now'.

"Young people are beginning to organise to get a better deal in the workplace," Yvette Berry, the LHMU organiser in the ACT told Workers Online.

"The Belinda Faulkingham case has attracted a deal of attention."

At a time when they are feeling increasingly vulnerable at work, young activists are working with the rest of the Canberra union movement to develop a youth charter.

The ACT Trades and Labor Council is initiating the project to get people under the age of 25 active at work.

"Youths are one of the worst informed groups on their wages and conditions, health and safety, and their rights to join trade unions. The youth charter project aims to turn all this around," Ms Berry said.

Jeremy Pyner from the ACT TLC said: "A young worker has the same rights as every other worker. Unfortunately, unscrupulous bosses are taking advantage of young people's lack of knowledge to exploit them horribly."

"That's why we have decided to get young people together to develop a 'Youth Charter'. It might not be called a youth charter that's up to the youth committee to decide," he said.

If you are between 16 and 25 years of age and want to be involved in this project contact Jeremy Pynor on 6247 7844 and check out the ICFTU's web site www. icftu

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  Issue 61 contents

Technology: Union Rep for Global Net Body
The godfather of unions and the Internet, Eric Lee, is seeking your support to give labour a voice on the net's governing body, ICANN.

Interview: Downloaded and Done Over
In the wake of the TV Networks' digital TV victory, Internet industry chief Peter Coroneus rues a missed opportunity for Australia.

Legal: The Global Millennium Project
The International Centre for Trade Union Rights (ICTUR) has developed a draft proposal for a comprehensive revision and modernisation of international labour standards for the new millenium.

Unions: Sandgropers Get Serious on Stress
The Australian Services Union in Western Australia in conjunction with the University of Western Australia, is surveying workers across the state's call centre industry.

Politics: New Work for a New Millennium
View in full the ALP's Draft Industrial Relations Policy to be taken to the National Conference at the end of the month.

Solidarity: Korean Hotel Workers Seek Global Help
Striking Korean hotel workers at the Swiss Grand Hotel and the Seoul Hilton are worried they could be the next targets of escalating riot police violence.

History: Vince's Parable of the Sundial
How a working man survived WWII and ASIO blacklists to save a sundial.

International: Room for Optimism from African Poll
The performance of pro-Deomcracy groups in the Zimbabwean elections has given supporters hope for better days.

Environment: Mexican Wave Goes Green
American politics has taken on a Green hue with the left leaning National Action Party and the Greens in Mexico picking up nearly 40% of the vote in the recent elections.

Satire: Aussies Celebrate Centenary by Leaving Country
Prime Minister John Howard has defended his government's decision not to involve Australia in the centenary federation celebrations.

Review: A Building Sings of Lives Lived in Music
Mysterious shadows flicker in the windows of the Parramatta Town Hall. Strains of trumpet and sarod float outside. It's all part of the urban Theatre Project's latest work, 'The Palais'.

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