
Issue No 73		13 October 2000

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News

Queensland Peak Union Body Elects First Female Secretary

For the first time in its 115 year history Queensland's peak trade union body, the Queensland Council of Unions, has elected a female general secretary.

Grace Grace, the assistant secretary since 1995 takes over from John Thompson. The QCU represents about 400,000 Queensland workers in 44 affiliated unions.

Grace was born in 1958, one of six daughters of Italian immigrants. She was a delegate for the Queensland State Service Union, has worked as an Industrial Officer for the FSU's Banking Division and played the same role at the QCU for four years.

'Improving people's wages and working life will continue to be the priorities for the Queensland union movement in the 21 century,' Grace says.

'As QCU general Secretary I will be promoting the organizing model of unionism, which gets things happening more in the workplace rather than at a central union level. Strong active unionism in the workplace is the key to recruitment and retention of members and I will be providing support to QCU affiliates to achieve that outcome.'

'In terms of the union movement's relationship with the ALP, I will be working to maintain mutual respect and understanding. We will have our differences from time to time, but within a framework of respect and understanding we should be able to handle this and move on.'

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Issue 73 contents

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.

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» Unions And Community Groups Call For Bank Social Charter

» Landmark Victory Extends Severance Pay To All

» 5 Day Strike Burns BHP Coal

» Parramatta Workers Enjoy Union Chill Out

» Report Finds Fatigue Fatalities Avoidable

» Queensland Peak Union Body Elects First Female Secretary

» The Joy of Burning Rubber

» dot.humanservices

» Unions Raise A Motza To Combat Youth Suicide