
Issue No 79		24 November 2000

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News

Olympics Pay Bonus Warning

Games employers have been given a stern reminder that the Sydney 2000 Olympics pay bonus is due next week and that failure to pay will lead to swift retaliatory action.

Labor Council of NSW secretary Michael Costa this week fired off a preemptive salvo to employers of the 40,000 workers who are entitled to the bonus.

"Given the number of problems we have had to date on late payment of wages generally, Unions 2000 formally puts on notice that we intend to take an aggressive stand on late bonus payments," Costa says.

Under the Unions 2000 agreement, workers were entitled to a $1.50 per hour bonus, payable in line with their attendance during the Games. Workers who completed 95 per cent of allocated shifts get their full bonus, between 85 per cent and 95 per cent, they receive 75 per cent; between 75 per cent and 85 per cent they get half, while those who completed less than 75 per cent of allocated shifts do not get anything.

Costa says Unions 2000 expects the December 1 deadline to be strictly observed.

"Our position will be as follows," he says. "If members ring after 1 December, 2000 advising that they have not received their bonus payment, we will contact your company.

"If the member does not receive the payment within 24 hours of our contact we will pursue compensation for late payments inn addition to prosecuting for breaches of the award."

Breaching the award would carry fines of up to $1,000 per breach.

Where to Now for Homebush

Meanwhile, the Australian Workers Union, has called for a post-Olympic plan for the Homebush Bay facilities to ensure they remain viable.

AWU state secretary Russ Collison says at the moment the future of some of the venues, along with 2,500 potential long-term jobs, is looking shaky in the absenc eof a long term management plan.

Collison has called on the State Government to secure a role for Homebush Bay Park as a social and recreational focal point, similar to that offered at Darling Harbour.

Labor Council has agreed to work with affiliates to approach the State government to work on such a plan.

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Issue 79 contents

Interview: Back on Track
After blowing the whistle on rail privatization, NSW Transport Minister Carl Scully is rebuilding bridges with the trade union movement.

Unions: The Problem with Organising
It may be the new mantra, but Brisbane Institute director Peter Botsman argues that organising may be the wrong to go for a movement attempting to attract a new breed of workers.

International: Burma: Workers Act on ILO Ruling
Energy workers' trade unions across the Asia-Pacific have urged Western oil and gas companies to "cease investment in Burma while the use of forced labour continues".

Economics: Rethinking Incomes Policy
While many have thrown incomes policy out with the Acoord bathwater, Graham White argues it still has a role to play.

History: What Goes Around Comes Around
Labor Council's Mark Lennon argues that while trade unions - and labour history - might be unfashionable, there's life left in both of them.

Education: Peas in a Pod
Both sides of politics must take blame for funding levels in our public schools, argues NSW Teachers Federation president Sue Simpson.

Satire: Hurley Rebukes Actors' Guild: I'm No Actor!
Liz Hurley has responded angrily to claims by actors that she crossed a picket line by filming an Estee Lauder ad.

Review: It's Only a Job
In a stunning new book, author Phil Thornton and photographer Paul Jones have combined to portray working life in all its diversity through the eyes of ordinary people like process worker Sharonak Shannon

» Olympics Pay Bonus Warning

» Korean Unions Lift The Roof

» Raw Asbestos to be Blocked at Ports

» We Don't Want Your Blood Money!

» Casual Maternity Leave Put to the Test

» Reith's Industrial Spy Loses Secret Tape Case

» Alarm Bells Start Ringing on WorkCover

» Workers Ask NAB To Have A Heart

» Wattyl Happen on Monday?

» Wage Stats Back ACTU Living Wage Claim

» Deadline Approaches for Organiser of the Year

» Training Crisis - Carr Called to Action

» Cleaners Down Garbage Bags

» Shaw's Man Aims for Canberra

» Life After Seattle: A Citizen's Guide to the WTO

» Sinn Fein Deputy in Sydney