
Issue No 69		01 September 2000

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News

ACTU Meets Joy

By Rowan Cahill

Union and ACTU representatives met with Joy Mining Machinery in Sydney this week for talks aimed at resolving the long-running and bitter Moss Vale Joy dispute.

Union officials will report back to the workers involved next Tuesday on the outcome of these talks.

The dispute has see-sawed between strikes and lock-outs for almost six months. Of the original 70 workers involved, about 60 remain on the picket line. A few men crossed the line in May, while personal circumstances compelled others to withdraw from the industry.

The American owned Joy company continues to legally hound the workers; there are five separate court actions in place. During the last fortnight the company took the preliminary steps necessary to pursue damages claims against unions and individuals. The company has also moved to terminate the current bargaining agreement.

In spite of all pressures the workers remain firm in their campaign for wage justice and the preservation of a unionised workplace.

The regional Illawarra Mercury newspaper recently devoted two pages to the devastating impact of the dispute on the families of the workers. This coverage was sympathetic and dignified, personalising the dispute to the detriment of Joy management's cause.

Recent visitors to the Moss Vale picket line include American union activist Margaret Trowe, Socialist Workers' Party candidate for the American vice-presidency.

This weekend representatives of the South Coast Labour Council and officials of the unions involved in the dispute (AMWU, AWU, CEPU) will take over the Moss Vale picket line for three days as a fraternal gesture, honouring the embattled Joy workers and giving them a well deserved and welcome break.

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Issue 69 contents

Interview: Global Warrior
International unions have won a game of political football with soccer`s hierarchy - and Aussie Tim Noonan is behind the victory.

History: King of Broken Hill
John Shields recounts the colourful life of William Sydney 'Shorty' O'Neil (1903-2000) and his place in the rich history of a remarkable town.

International: History Repeats At Firestone
More than 8,000 workers, members of the United Steelworkers of America (USWA), are set to strike at nine Bridgestone/Firestone plants in the United States at midnight tonight.

Politics: The Past We Need To Understand
In his Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lecture Malcolm Fraser retraces the path of Australian race relations and laments the terrible impasse we've reached.

Unions: Economic Democracy
Sharan Burrow on making Working Australia's money talk and reforming corporate culture for the 21st Century.

Satire: Another windscreen washer joins millionaire list
SYDNEY, Monday: After just a year in his new job, John Samuels has added his name to the burgeoning list of enterprising Australians who have made their fortunes by offering partial car-washing facilities in convenient inner city road-side locations.

Review: No Long Term
Much political commentary is about the global marketplace and the use of new technologies as hallmarks of the new capitalism. Richard Sennett investigates another dimension of change: new ways of organising time, particularly working time.

» New Benchmark In Bank Greed

» Olympics Deal Sparks Soccer Ball Victory

» Two Day Strike Hits BHP Mines

» Leightons, SOCOG Tremble Before Haka

» Hilton Hotels Limp As Strike Bites

» Wran Lends Boffins A Hand

» ACTU Meets Joy

» Barracks Workers Put The Pinch On Local MP

» Olympic Win For Taxi Drivers

» Australian Unions Keep Spotlight on Fiji

» Staff Eye Telstra Prize

» Dice Loaded Against American Workers

» NZ Union Federations Heal Split

» Pressure Mounts On Nike To Live Olympic Ideal