
Issue No 75		27 October 2000

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News

LHMU Seek $1 An Hour Rise

By Andrew Casey

The 150,000 member Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union (LHMU) has called on the ACTU to seek an extra $1.00 per hour, or $38 per week, for lower paid workers in the Living Wage Case.

" Our 60-member National Council has resolved to call on the ACTU to put forward a claim for a substantial wage increase at the next Living Wage Case, " Jeff Lawrence, the National Secretary of the LHMU, said today.

" Our members believe there is an urgent need to campaign for minimum wage levels of $500 per week, or $13 per hour for the lowest paid, in circumstances where interest rates, unrestrained petrol prices, bank charges and inflation has escalated to the point where workers and their families are suffering.

" Union members have had a gutful of Federal Government policies that have produced sharply declining income and living standards," Jeff Lawrence said.

" The latest inflation figures for the September quarter of 3.7% and over the full year of 6.1% show the burden being shouldered by workers while company profits continue to escalate.

" The LHMU National Council - which has met all this week in Queensland - believes that, driven by the GST related price increases, inflation will remain high during the next 6-12 months and must be compensated for as soon as possible.

" This union's National Council has resolved to back the Living Wage Case by initiating wage claims with employers, and campaign for wage justice for lower paid workers through workplace and industry activism," Jeff Lawrence said.

The ACTU Executive meets next week in Melbourne to discuss the parameters of a National Living Wage Case. The LHMU is one of the ACTU's largest affiliates.

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Issue 75 contents

Interview: Civilized Capital
The FNV's Harrie Lindelauff explains to Peter Lewis how a friendly government and moderate employers make for a different sort of workplace in Holland.

Politics: Where Too Much Politics Is Barely Enough
With daily newspapers providing polling and analysis, television, cable, radio and Internet providing 24 hour coverage over a year long campaign -- there's more than enough politics for even the most voracious American political junkie reports Michael Gadiel.

International: US Cleaners on Hunger Strike
A number of US cleaners have this week gone on a hunger strike to back a union campaign for higher wages.

Economics: The Pass The Risk Trick
Derivatives, often seen as the currency of casino capitalism, are the fastest growing, largest and potentially most volatile aspect of capitalist economies. Economist Dick Brian sees behind this image an even deeper danger.

Health: Depressing Workplaces
New technologies and the impact of globalisation have sparked more stress and bouts of depression for workers, while causing a growing burden for social security systems, a new ILO report says.

Unions: Costello's Con
The low paid are bearing the brunt of the GST with inflation at a 10 year high argues the ACTU's Greg Combet.

Satire: Bush campaign an in-joke, admit advisors
TEXAS, Thursday: Following Bush's disastrous performance in the first Presidential debate it has been revealed that his bid for president is actually the result of a in-joke about how stupid the American people are.

» ACTU Calls For Compo For Costello's Inflation Spike

» Despair At Our ABC

» Outlaw Banks Strike Again

» Church Leader Confesses: We're Not Always Good Employers

» Building Workers Win $150 A Week Pay Rise

» MUA Prosecutes Patrick

» WA Secrecy Laws Gag Union Members

» LHMU Seek $1 An Hour Rise

» Picket Protects Broadway Squats

» APHEDA Appeal For Palestinian Medical Relief

» World Bank, IMF To Consult Unions

» Festering Joy

» Heath Our Hero Wins Two Gold