
Issue No 72		06 October 2000

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News

Council Workers Win Community Language Allowance

By Mark Hearn

Eighteen months of hard work has resulted in a $13.14 per week Community Language Allowance for MEU members who are required to use second language skills in the workplace.

"It's a fantastic result. "MEU Delegate Sandra Hemming says. "It's far better than I expected."

Sandra, an Outreach Adviser (home library services) with Bankstown City Council library, says the decision is recognition that "we have a multicultural society, and we have people in the workplace supporting the needs of our community."

Fadia Hourani, an Information Officer with Bankstown City Council library, says her Arabic skills are in constant demand. "There's not a day when I don't use it." Fadia uses Arabic to assist new arrivals in Australia to acquire English language skills, to access library services and to translate English texts into Arabic - including catalogues, signs and surveys.

Fadia is also regularly called upon to assist with general inquiries made to Bankstown City Council. "It could be anything", Fadia says, from garbage collection to rates enquiries.

Roughly 40% of Bankstown's 160,000 population come from an Arabic language background. Other ethnic communities represented in the area include Vietnamese and Chinese. The Library also has staff with these language skills, and its collections include books, videos, music and magazines in the major language groups represented in the Bankstown community.

Sandra Hemming has been an MEU delegate for two years. "It's a challenge. You're always learning something, not only about the award, but about people and how they interact - both members and management." Sandra's commitment to her workmates including providing vital evidence in support of the MEU's successful application for the Community Language Allowance.

"The fact that they don't need accreditation to access the allowance is a major victory", Sandra says. "It would be insulting to expect that these workers, arriving in Australia with these significant language skills, should be expected to need a certificate. They bring a legitimate skill to the workplace."

Information Officer Bruce Lee uses his Korean language skills to assist Bankstown's growing Korean population. "Many Koreans can understand written texts, but they sometimes need assistance with making the link to verbal communication. It's much more friendly having someone local who can assist them. It's just a little more understanding."

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Issue 72 contents

Interview: Taking It To The Union Busters
ACTU Assistant Secretary Richard Marles talks to Workers Online about turning back the anti-union sentiment growing in the business community, responsible unionism and the sense of fun to be found at the ACTU.

International: The White Knights
The International Labour Organisation has become the great hope for those fighting to give globalisation a human face. Australian Bob Kyloh is one of those working with trade unions within the ILO to make it happen.

Politics: Industrial Democracy for Australia
Glenn Patmore argues we need new forms of employee representation in the workplace to broaden employee participation.

Unions: Behind The Scenes
In a small office at Homebush Bay, as the world focused on all that was positive about our games, Unions 2000 and SOCOG officials worked tirelessly to ensure that no worker was ripped off. Chris Christoudoulou reports.

Satire: Parade of Icons �Could Have Included Even More Ex-Aussies� Say Critics
The selection of Greg Norman, Paul Hogan and Elle Macpherson to represent Australia in the �Parade of Icons� during the Closing Ceremony of the Sydney Games last night has prompted a storm of complaints from other famous former Australians.

Review: Elliott Smiths Figure 8
Smith is basically the secret love child of the fab four and it�s so blatantly obvious. That�s not a bad thing because one thing Lennon and McCartney were reknown for was there ability to pen catchy tunes.

» Interstate Rail Workers Rebel Against AWAs

» Australia Post Exposes Staff to Bomb Danger

» Alliance Builds Against Commonwealth Bank

» Carr Lauds Union Movement For Golden Olympics

» Big Brother Unwelcome In Child Care Centres

» Council Workers Win Community Language Allowance

» Fiji Facing Dictatorship

» Home Care Win Recognises Community Contribution

» Pressures Mount on Truckies

» Industrial Action Looms At IBM Global

» In Your Face Provocateurs

» Putting A Stop To Workplace Intimidation

» Australian History To Be Buried Alive