
Issue No 75		27 October 2000

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News

WA Secrecy Laws Gag Union Members

By Lisa Jooste

The National Council of one of Australia's largest unions, the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union (LHMU), has condemned the secrecy of WA's industrial laws.

Helen Creed, National President of the LHMU and WA State Secretary of the union, reported to the annual meeting of the National Council - meeting in Queensland - the effects of the WA industrial laws on the LHMU's members.

Because of the secrecy sections of the state laws the Union was last week prevented from telling the state's Industrial Commissioners the truth about the impact of WA Workplace Agreements on cleaners.

Most cleaners are forced to sign individual contracts - Workplace Agreements - just to get jobs.

The WA Commission struck out the evidence of Cleaners and Union officials about pay cuts of up to $2.30 per hour (which works out to over $80 per week).

The Commission stopped the cleaners whistle-blowing.

Changes made to the Industrial Relations Act, by the former State Minister for IR, Graham Kierath, actually prevent Commissioners from informing themselves about the provisions of Workplace Agreements.

Graham Keirath is to West Australian unions, and their members, a cut-down local version of Peter Reith - but he often tried to outdo his national counterpart.

Keirath is as reviled by the WA labour movement, as his counterpart is reviled nationally.

"All we want is for cleaners to be able to have a choice between Workplace Agreements and the Award,"LHMU National President, Helen Creed, said.

"This ruling is heart-breaking. How can the Commission make a fair decision on choice, when they can't even consider the facts?

"In the interests of justice, these laws must be abolished!"

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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