Issue No 73 | 13 October 2000 | |
Letters to the EditorNo Justice-No Peace
I was distinctly under whelmed by ACTU suit Richard Marles contribution both to Labor Council last week and to the latest Workers Online. He runs the "unions have to be sensible" and "we can't abuse our power" lines with just a little too much fervor. The bosses have most of the power in our society/economy. They abuse their power every day. In fact the entire economy is based on their systematic abuse of power. It would have been nice if Richard had qualified his exhortations with a little context as to where the real abuse of power lies. And fancy accusing the Liberals of encouraging "perpetual industrial warfare"?!?! There has been industrial warfare for several hundred years now, irrespective of who is in Government. Granted news of this war is actively suppressed. But 3000 Australians are killed at work every year in avoidable accidents- to take just one piece of evidence illustrating a perpetual war against working people. I'm sure Richard would be familiar with these sort of figures. In spite of Richard's desire to cuddle up to "good" employers, there will never be real industrial peace while the economy is based on greed and exploitation. A little more reality from the ACTU leadership, please. Phil Davey
|
Interview: Righting The Wrongs Improving the lives of Aboriginal people can't be taken out of the context of the economy, welfare and other areas says Bob McMullan, Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Economics: At The Mercy Of Gamblers The plunge of the Australian dollar relative to the greenback has consequences for Aussie workers according to Frank Stillwell. History: Labour History Under Seige Again The Friends of the Noel Butlin Archives Centre have recently been informed of proposed changes to the Noel Butlin Archives Centre (NBAC), changes that will cut staff by more than 50% and leave the Archives mothballed in the tunnel where the repository is situated. Workplace: Fighting The Flexible Firm We are told that hardship and exploitation at work is dying out, and the new economy offers opportunity, freedom and job satisfaction for all. Richard Sennett unveils the true nature of the flexible workplace. Safety: Being bossed around is bad for your health A survey of more than 3,000 Australian workers has revealed that some 54% of workers experience intimidating behaviour in their workplace. In almost 85% of cases it is employers, managers and supervisors who are identified as the culprits. Unions: Discrimination New to the union and the maritime industry and with only a few days casual work to live off, Stephen Rolls courageously spoke up against individual contracts during a job interview with Burnie Port Corp. International: Serbian Workers and Their Unions Fight for Freedom Serbian workers and their unions have been at the forefront of the struggle for democracy in Yugoslavia as they led a general strike in response to attempts by President Slobodan Milosevic to nullify the defeat he faced in the Sept. 24 election. Satire: A few more years of civilised brutality will advantage Aborigines: Ruddock CANBERRA, Tuesday: The Minister for Reconciliation Philip Ruddock has defended his comments to French newspaper Le Monde claiming that Aborigines were disadvantaged because they were late in coming into contact with developed civilisations. Review: Poetry For Workers By Workers Poems about the trials and tribulations of a waitress and what you learn in a chocolate factory are among the gems from the 925 anthology.
Notice Board View entire latest issue
|
© 1999-2000 Labor Council of NSW LaborNET is a resource for the labour movement provided by the Labor Council of NSW URL: http://workers.labor.net.au/73/letters2_phildavey.htmlLast Modified: 15 Nov 2005 [ Privacy Statement | Disclaimer | Credits ] LaborNET is proudly created, designed and programmed by Social Change Online for the Labor Council of NSW |