
Issue No 81		08 December 2000

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

Letters to the Editor

Is Costa a Sandwich Short of a Picnic Basket?

Dear Sir,

As a committed socialist and one who finds the policies and direction as laid out by the New South Wales Labor Council a path easy to traverse. It pains me, to find my self in disagreement with the thoughts of the Council as promulgated on the issue of Union Picnic days.

While totally opposed to the latest "Reith Attack", on hard-earned conditions, I believe that the argument for discriminatory conditions because of an employee's affiliation is totally out of order.

How can the Labor Council argue on one hand that people should be rewarded on merit, (whatever that wank of a word means), and on the other hand be rewarded for political affiliations e.g.: Trade Unions.

If this is the recognized method of reward, why not an extra ride on the goat for "Freemasons", or some spiritual indulgence for "The Knights of Malta" , come of it Michael you can do better than that. This philosophy is only dividing the potential membership further and playing into the hands of the three stooges, Howard , Reith and Costello.

I believe you might find more succor from potential members by combating the rising incidence covert and in some cases overt racism and harassment because of the cultural differences of these vulnerable employees. Particularly when it is blatantly obvious that the perpetrators are being protected by naive, inadequate or mischievous Union representatives , under the putrescent guise of spurious comradeship..

How can a Union justify to its members, never mind those who may want to join - The discriminatory practices of such associations, and those that would vilify because of race or ostracize for dissent?

Come on Michael, this "Picnic Issue", is another wild goose chase that "The Three Stooges" are leading us on. The issues at your level of involvement are more pressing and urgent than this.

The Union Movement like the A.L.P. must submit to a purge, it must harshly discard the parasitical drones and rebuild the hive. It must cleanse its self of the paralysis ticks.

Nepotism and cronyism are like incest, the offspring are retarded, deformed, and useless, the Union gene base must be expanded, not today, or tomorrow, but yesterday.

This will be an arduous task and will certainly be no picnic!

Tom Collins

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Issue 81 contents

Interview: Back to Work
After a stretch of unemployment following the 1996 election, former Keating Minister Robert Tickner is now helping others find work.

Media: Reality Check
Aiden White, head of the international journalists' union, argues that online journalism presents a new set of challenges for organising.

Economics: In the Same Boat
In an unprecedented move, a coalition of industry, community and trade union groups have joined forces to address long-trerm unemployment.

International: Nepalese Hotel Workers Ask for Support
Hotel workers in the small Himalayan nation of Nepal have finally decided to vent their anger and call a general strike for Monday - over a 21 year old dispute.

Unions: Speaking in Tongues
Labor Council's Mark Morey outlines the successful campaign by local government workers for a community language allowance.

History: Fighting Words
The anti-conscription campaign of 1914-18 tore the ALP apart; but this was not the first time the labour movement took a militantly anti-war stance.

Politics: A New Socialism
In an extract from his new book, political economist Frank Stilwell argues the need for a new radicalism to counter the Third Way

Satire: Roy Slaven on the Rampage
John Doyle's history of the ABC stretches back to a 1958 evening in Lithgow on which he was "scared shitless" by Blackboard on Mr Squiggle.

Review: Mauled in the Bear Pit
Vengeance may be sweet but it is always made better when you are able to write a book about yourself that also provides the opportunity to dump a bucket load on those who undertook your removal.

» Vale Cliff Dolan: A Lifelong Commitment

» Bussies Buck Up Over Lane Cheats

» Tassie Brings Home the Bacon on Call Centres

» Howard Sinks Merchant Navy

» Rural Line Drawn on Telstra

» Don't Rain on our Family Picnic Day

» ACTU Living Wage Case Begins

» National Action Hits Manufacturing Sector

» TWU Calls For Mayor to be Charged

» Workers Blow Whistle on Secret Melbourne IT Sell-Off

» Help Us Win a Gong!

» Reith Sacked Over Telecard Affair

» 2001: A Tipster's Odyssey