Tony Abbott |
Abbott was one of the ringleaders in the stike action, which took place in the early 1990's over the sacking and failure to pay redundancy to an ACP photographer.
This was when Abbott was still a hack on The Bulletin magazine and a paid-up members of the Australian Journalists Association.
Our MEAA source tells us that Abbott was vocal at the stop-work meeting and was one of the first out the door when strike action was called.
In another celebrated incident Abbott moved a motion to accept a wages deal from ACP against the recommendations of union officials.
The rebel-rousing right-winger argued against the unions' criticism that the 1988 deal involved a no extra claims clause for technological change. When the change inevitably came, the ACP staff were left to cop in sweet.
By then, Abbott was off fighting other battles, that have led him all the way to Canberra and the job of workplace relations minister.
Better than Reith?
The intriguing question for the labour movement is whether the change in minister will lead to any percptible change in style.
The ACTU is welcoming the exit of Reith and has offered the olive branch to Abbott, saying they want to work contructively with him.
But Labor Council of NSW secretary Michael Costa has warned that Abbott, while intelligent is 'immature' and likely to keep fighting Reith's ideological war.
ALP IR spokesman Arch Bevis describes the appointment as a massive reward for the right wing of the Liberal Party.
"Remember, the Reith agenda was the Howard agenda and Abbott is a Howard acolyte who has tried to make his name as an apprentice head-kicker and looks set to continue his career with the divisive Reith industrial relations agenda," Bevis says.
Sydney Trades Hall |
Labor Council secretary Michael Costa says the 2KY license would be sold with the proceeds reinvested in the labour movement. Property assets within the 2KY group, valued at approximately $15 million would be transferred to the Labor Council
The Council will remain in broadcasting through the retention of its other AM licence - 2KM - currently broadcasting on 1630. 1630 would be a valued asset once digital technology was introduced. Costa says its planned that 2KM will broadcast as 'The Voice of the Workers" with music and current affairs sympathetic to the traditions and principles of trade unionism. "In a sense, this deal allows the Labor Council to return to its original aims in broadcasting," Costa says.
Part proceeds of the sale will be used to restore the historical Trades Hall building, which sits at the entrance to Sydney's Chinatown. The heritage-protected building would be refurbished, with a new auditorium as well as office and retail facilities. The cost of the refurbishment has been estimated at $10 million. The Labor Council also planned to retain its Sussex Street property.
Assistant Secretary John Robertson, who oversaw the Olympics construction project for the trade union movement, will project manage the development on behalf of the Labor Council, in partnership with a leading developer.
The balance of the proceeds will be invested in a special purpose fund, which will ensure the financial viability of the Labor Council into the future. The deal has been approved by the Labor Council's Finance Committee and needs the final approval of the Labor Council at its Annual General meeting in February
Police Association's Bob Morgan |
Bob Morgan was presented with the award, along with a cheque for $500 to be used to fund a study trip at the NSW Labor Council's executive dinner. Judges were TUTA director Michael Crosby, Labor Council secretary Michael Costa and Labor Council president Sam Moaitt.
Morgan was nominated for his work with the SW Police Association who, despite high levels of membership, have embraced an organsing model.
Organising in Sydney's inner west and south, Morgan helped build a union network at stations, raising the average umber of branch officials from one or two to between four and eight. He has also encouraged the participation of women and young people in local branches and trade union training courses.
He worked on key disputes including the Flemington rostering dispute and the battle by Jindabyne police for a snow allowance.
Highly Commended
Organisers with the Finance Sector Union and the Health and Research Employees Association were both highly commended by the judges.
FSU Organiser Danielle Keogh was commended for her work organizing MLC, a site that traditionally had low rates of membership.
In an environment where management calls it's HR department the 'people and culture team' and the workplace is the 'campus', Danielle has developed a network of delegates nearly double the original size.
Kerrie Seymour from HREA was nominated for her work organising hospital and aged care workers out of the union's Wagga Wagga office.Over the year, membership rates increased by 10 per cent by placing an emphasis on identifying and training activists in the workplace.
Deeming Provisions
Labor Council has called on the Carr Government to give the Industrial Relations Commission the power to deem workers as 'employees' regardless of their formal status. Under the proposal workers engaged as contractors in areas where they have traditionally been employees, would be able to apply to receive benefits like long service leave, annual leave and superannuation paid be their employer. This would stop employers changing the formal structure of employment to avoid their obligations. Similar legislation already operates in Queensland and is being considered in Victoria.
Online Rights for Online Workers
Labor Council has been pushing for protection for online workers for more than 12 months. We are seeking two things: protection from employer scrutiny of personal emails and trade union access to internal communication systems for legitimate organising activites. The proposal stalled before former IR Minister Jeff Shaw pending the outcome of a long-running Law Reform Commission report on privacy. With still no sign of that report, unions will be asking new IR minister John Della Bosca to kick-start the issue in the New Year.
Minimum Standards for Government Contractors
The Labor Council has been working with the department for Public Works and Services to formulate a more proactive strategy for ensuring government tenderers practise good industrial relations policy including adhering to awards or collective agreements and recognizing the rights of workers to belong to trade unions. While the Carr Government says this is already official policy, the operation of several companies doing government work - including Stellar call centres - has left union s wanting a more practical commitment.
Labour Hire Inquiry
Unions are waiting on the government 's response to the inquiry into labour hire conducted by former ACTU President Jennie George. The final report was handed to IR minister John Della Bosca just before Christmas and is understood to contain a series of positions on which there was agreement between the parties and others on which there has been no agreement.
by Alison Peters
Based on the successful American scheme run by the AFL-CIO, the activists will spend three weeks working with NSW unions on campaigns as well as receiving education and training in organizing and union issues.
The 16 interns start in late January with two days of training. They then move into campaign mode with 6 different unions and the Labor Council where they will get hands on experience in organizing around workplace rights. There is further training throughout the three week placement.
Union Summer gives people interested in social justice the opportunity to work with the union movement . The response to places in the program has been excellent with lots of interest shown by student activists.
Unions involved in this summer's program believe that it is important to encourage interest in union issues and to build our capacity to campaign around workers' issues. Union Summer increases support for unions and allows the interns to develop their skills in a practical setting.
It is the Organising Centre's intention to run Union Summer each year and to build on what looks to be a very successful debut.
by Paul Howes
Since 1997 the Labor Council has organised a stall at the BDO which is staffed by young officials from a wide range of unions. The stall aims to attract young workers to join unions and to find out about their conditions and rights at work.
In 2001 the stall will continue to focus on getting young people interested in unions and will also be providing information on how to get active within the union movement. A wide range of unions will be present at the Big Day Out which will be able to give out specific information regarding their industries.
A new "Join a Union" leaflet is currently being produced which will be the main piece of material handed out at the stall and other ideas are currently being floated to attract more people to the stall.
For more information contact Paul Howes at the Labor Council mailto:[email protected]
The Australian Workers Union and the Labor Council recently held a Rural Issues Forum in Young and invited unions employers and local Government representatives to attend. Representatives at the forum were angry about being totally ignored and could believe that there is no strategy whatsoever to address their issues
There was general consensus about the major issues, in particular the banks foreclosing on property owners particularly, after the one third of NSW had been flooded and crops devastated. Also the price of petrol in the bush was high on the list..
One of the AWU Delegates who attended the forum said that these issues directly affect workers as well as employers however no one is listening or doing anything about them. There are about three property owners in Young who are about to lose their farms.
Labor Council and the rural unions want to make sure the issues affecting Rural and Regional NSW are addressed and will be developing an issues paper after conducting a number of Rural Issues Forums.
by Michael Crosby
One small example of that is the presentation for long service made by the company to Mine Maintenance worker, Tony Ryman recently.
The management arrived to present him with his gold watch only to find Tony and his mates all wearing tshirts with the slogan "I'm Not For Sale". BHP printed the photo in their company newspaper - Iron Ore Chronicle - cropped to exclude the T-shirt and message.
Despite the injunctions in place at BHP's iron ore operation in the Pilbara, the company continues its deunionisation effort.
Intimidation of the 60 per cent of the workforce remaining on a collective agreement continues with a wide range of pressure on union members being reported.
Workers wearing union badges or T-shirts are sent home, have been sacked for allegedly writing "scab" on a toilet door and workers are routinely warned that once the injunction has been lifted they have two weeks to make up their mind and sign individual agreements. One worker has even been reprimanded for getting an "aggressive" haircut. (BHP clearly hasn't seen Michael Costa's haircut recently!)
The workers are fighting on. They are using the time during the period of the injunction to strengthen their level of workplace organisation.
Dwyer, who is battling cancer, announced he would stand aside at a special meeting of the Council last week.
He told delegates the South Coast Labour Council had been an important part of his life.
"I have always seen the union movement, and the Labour Council, as being central to any form of activism in this area, not just union activism, but also community activism," he said.
Dwyer particularly noted the work of people like Freddie Moore, Jack Lowrie, Johnny Bourne and Ray Harrison for their contribution over many years.
by Mary Yaager
The Hon . Ian West MLC |
For the past 24 years Ian was an Official with the Miscellaneous Division of the LHMU. As part of his strategy to ensure workers get heard in Parliament, Ian will be issuing a regular newsletter called "Workers' Voice."
Ian wants to continue working for blue and white collar Unions in his new role, "Working in the Union movement, in particular a blue collar union, gave me perspective on the daily struggles faced by workers to feed, shelter and educate themselves and their families," West says.
"There is no finer feeling than to have helped someone to help themselves through the union collective to find dignity, respect, and some semblance of equality."
"Unions have given voice to the aspirations of ordinary people and have agitated to change unjust laws and made living and working conditions more bearable for the whole community."
'Westie', as he is affectionately known by his union colleagues received a tumultuous standing ovation after delivering his heartfelt inaugural speech. Since then Ian has spoken on the Wattyl workers' lockout, Reith's ongoing attacks on the MUA, and Federal political interference in the ABC.
Early next year Ian will host a Forum to increase awareness within the Union movement about how to better access the State Government and its Ministers. "I believe Unions may be able to learn something from the activities of some community and private interest groups who appear to be very effective in lobbying the Government and other MP's for legislative change."
For the full text of Ian's first speech, go to http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au, then click on "Members" then "Ian West." Ian can be contacted on (02) 9230 2126 or by email on mailto:[email protected] (copies of "Workers' Voice" on request)
by Deborah Vallance
People gathered this week to lay a wreath and bereavement cards at Mr. Peter Reiths doorstep. Less than three weeks ago Minister Reith and his department turned their backs on community demands to ban asbestos.
Instead of taking decisive action by supporting a Victorian government and industry to phase out the importation of raw asbestos, Minister Reith has chosen procrastination, delay and obfuscation.
They now hope new workplace relations minister Tony Abbott takes are more proactive approach to the issue.
One of those at the wreath laying was Mr. Geoff Foster who has contacted mesothelioma from working with asbestos. " Too many people have died from contact with asbestos already. And Mr. Reith has a responsibility to prevent further deaths by supporting the
ban on the importation of asbestos" Mr. Foster said.
1700 tonnes of raw asbestos and over one million parts containing asbestos are imported annually into Australia. These are predominately used in brakes and clutches, even though there are alternatives.
The groups are asking people to send cards to Mr.Abbott at Parliament House, Canberra with the following inscription
To the Hon. Mr. Tony Abbott, on behalf of everyone who has died and will die of
asbestos related disease. Ban Asbestos
............ signed.
by Mary Yaager
The Centenary Of Federation Committee, chaired by former NSW Premier, Barry Unsworth, is planning one of the most spectacular parades ever seen in Australian history on the first of January 2001.
According to the organisers the streets of Sydney will come alive and it will be like a scene from Rio.
There will certainly be colour and movement as an array of performing artists, ethnic groups costumed artists, bands ,colourful floats , banners and spectacular puppets line the streets.
Over a half a million spectators are expected turn out to watch the Journey Of A Nation - The Federation Parade. It will be a collaboration of the past, present and future and will showcase Australia's growth over the last 100 years .
The Parade themes will include a celebration of unions, Indigenous culture ,a recognition of community organisations. It will also focus on our cultural diversity ;our inventions and discoveries ; the sports we play, fashion ,the arts and to top it off a look towards the future.
Unions will march under a specially designed banner which will signifying one of the major achievements of the movement in the last Century.
Some of the Union participants have pulled their original uniforms out of the mothballs for the occasion.
Health And Research Employees Association President and Ambulance Officer, Steve Pollard who is participating in the Parade says "I will have to lose a few kilos to fit into my old uniform."
The Parade starts at 4.00pm in Macquarie and Bent Streets, before moving along Oxford and Flinders Sts.It then proceeds then through the Robertson Gates at Centenial Park
Barnett examines the early media coverage of the protest plans from June to August 2000, which "beat up" an expectation of violence.
He then examines all TV coverage of September 11-13 and finds that this footage depicts only punches and blows perpetrated by the police and none by civilians.
The Barrett Report is on the Victorian WTO Watch web site:
http://www.vicnet.net.au/~gcforum/BarrettReport.htm
http://www.vicnet.net.au/gcforum/BarrettReport.htm
Jim Marr makes a number of perfectly valid points in refuting the notion that Steve Waugh's teams over the 12 Tests past are the best ever. There are other reasons as well.
Leave aside the quality of the respective oppositions in 1948 or 1920-21 or what Lloyd faced - as a rule of thumb, one suspects that an all-conquering side is what it is because no other team is within cooee of it. Even if you consider that 12 on the trot is a statistic that clinches the argument in favour of Stephen's lads, there are other objective factors operating today that make results more likely. Those factors include the following.
1. Global warming: sustained spells of rain deprived Benaud in 1961 and Border in 1989 of certain wins. Or compare 1968 where the rain saved Lawry's team three times.
2. Scheduling the Tests to be over by the first week of January, getting Brisbane over and done with by November, means that the series has a reasonable bet of avoiding unseasonable rains.
3. Groundsmen have somewhat more integrity than days of yore. They do not readily prepare wickets to suit the home team or blunt the visitors.
4. The science of pitch preparation makes it more likely that the pitch is designed to deliver a result to the team which possesses either (a) a well-balanced attack or (b) a batting philosophy which buys time for the bowlers to dismiss the others.
5. The third umpire has eliminated the "benefit of the doubt" for the close decisions, hence far more dismissals on run outs and stumpings.
6. Weather reports available on desk-top computers at the grounds mean that curators have the ground staff hovering well before the first drops fall. Have you ever timed how long it takes the SCG staff to cover the wicket?
One suspects that Bradman's side might have rolled up 20-straight if they were playing under these conditions against these sorts of oppositions.
Jim Marr is dead right about a benign scheduling. The real test comes when they play on the sub-continent - where my comments about pitch preparation do not apply - and South Africa.
RODNEY CAVALIER
I've just been forwarded an email which a colleague received from Workers Online -- and it contains the following paragraph:
"At ABC Online, just 20 per cent of employees are organized. When ABC workers went out on strike last week, only four people from the online section walked. The average age is mid-20s."
That is, I'm pleased to say, not in the least bit true, for *my* ABC Online office -- there were only two people who remained in the office in Ultimo, Sydney, and some of the people out on strike were senior managers.
They probably meant ABC Online News in Brisbane. I can't answer for them, but they're presumably MEAA-covered positions, whereas a lot of us here are joint coverage/CPSU.
A majority of staff in our Southbank, Melbourne, headquarters also went out on strike.
John Horner
Network Developer, ABC Online
P.S. I'm 36. I think I'm more like the average age around here...
John Horner
Prior to the US Election I tried to implore people to vote for Ralph Nader, for several reasons but mainly because of his Green commitments.
The Earth is 4.5 Billion years old give or take a month. We accept this because scientists tell us so. Scientists and pundits, in the hundreds, also inform us that this planet, our Earth, is doomed and will not last much more than to the end of this century.
Why can we not accept that?
Why can we not accept that we are in the preliminary motions of the greatest extinction of animal life since the wiping out of the dinosaurs, 65 million years ago?
The well-respected World Wide Fund for Nature has recently told the planet's press that at the present rate of resource depletion, it has only 75 years before Mother Nature moves into another era that does NOT include Humankind.
The famous and well-respected wildlife campaigners report that in the last 40 years CO2 emissions produced by burning fossil fuels has tripled. In addition, that in the last 30 years Humans, that is we, has wiped out over 30% of the natural world. Moreover, their studies show that within a lifetime, us, that is 99% of the world's population will have to look for somewhere else to live. Our current rate of consumption is eroding the very fabric or our home world. The report, paid for by the WWF, is the most comprehensive analysis of the 'Global Ending Syndrome' thus far produced.
Nevertheless, what can be done? The Internet site, the Sahara Supposition is a paper in which we as people of the World try to stop the 'Global Ending Syndrome' (GES). It is now not enough to say just 'Global Warming' or Rainforest Depletion. This almost inevitability, the end of Man, on a global level, will happen. The Sahara Supposition involves a huge project proposal to terra-form and utilise the Sahara Desert to try balance up and stop the present carnage. It is a proposal for a new world order, that asks the victims of GES, to stand together so that our descendants will see the third millennium and not just be some artefact for some passing alien in a million years time to look over.
Thank You
Roy G Symonds
Dear Red brother,
What an unexpected revelation that workers on Individual Contracts are paid up to $200 per week more in wages than those under Industrial awards.
What perhaps is more important are the abstruse figures, the figures that show that working conditions were traded off to earn the actual monetary income.
Many employees have traded off conditions such as overtime rates of pay for hours in excess of their normal working week during a period of recession, only to find that when the economy picked up they were working excessive hours at ordinary rates of pay, and thereby reducing the requirement to employ another Australian.. One only has to compare other statistics (hours actually worked by employees) to validate this error in judgement by some of their representatives, those representatives usually being incompetent Unions, these can be recognized by their dramatically falling membership. Union's lead by those whose vision is blocked by figuratively enlarged olfactory sensation devices.
Fortunately/unfortunately? This was a road to Damascus awakening for myself, and as I am now classed as one of the working poor. I can with clear conscience, stop whipping myself with wet nettles, as punishment for being a bad parent and a poor money manager, take my kids out of school and send them up the chimneys or down the mines, on one of these new work for the dole schemes.
This might enable us to pay off the Never Ending Payments of our Liberal Government Homefund Mortgage!
Perhaps we could indenture them, along with the Invalid, the Single mothers, the Long term unemployed and maybe even raise the dead, in a Work for The Dole Scheme, preferably one, that is governed by one of those Wonderful Individual Work Contracts, at $200 a week more than the award?
When are we, as a collective, going to awake from our slumber and acknowledge that this economic, social and spiritual, collective but consensual rape of the Common Man -
Is not in the interests of anyone but the New World religion "The Holy Corporate Entity", the emblem of which is easily recognized as?
Father Ted
by Peter Lewis
|
You've announced the restructure of the finances. What is the thinking behind selling off 2KY?
There isn't any ulterior motive behind any of the decisions we make. It is an appropriate time to restructure our assets. The offer from the TAB was a very, very good offer, given that the Labor Council has really not been able to benefit financially to the extent that would be commercially sensible out of its investment in 2KY. It's an appropriate time to look at restructuring those assets.
I'm particularly excited to set 2KM up as the voice of labour. I mean, originally Labor Council entered the broadcasting market to provide a vehicle - at the time a very innovative vehicle to put forward Labor's message - and I think we should return to that. More and more the broadcast market has been segmented over the years and there is a niche for labour in that market and that is essentially what we are seeking to do.
Would you be seeing that running as a profit making radio station? Or is just more a service that the unions would be putting out?
I would see the station covering its costs and I think there is the potential to make a small return out of that, but the main motivation would be to ensure that there is a voice of labour and that that voice of labour is presented in a format that is relevant; that is contemporary and is philosophically sound. In terms of the finances, I am very confident that we could at least meet through advertising revenue, the cost of operations.
One of the other aspects is the renovation of Trades Hall. What do you have in mind there?
Labor Council has been looking at renovating Trades Hall for a number of years. I have in fact been involved in at least two proposals that potentially had the ability to fund that renovation. Unfortunately those proposals have been overcome by the complexities of the planning and financing of that project, and the sale of 2KY enables us to meet our objective there. It has been estimated that it is going to cost between $8 and $10 million to do that. I think that is an appropriate return - or an appropriate application of part of the funds that emerge from 2KY, and I think we can also make it turn a proper commercial return. I would look forward to moving the Labor Council's operations back into Trades Hall. I think that is the appropriate place for them.
There would still be a fair bit of money left over. What happens to the rest of it?
You are right. There would be approximately $15 million left over. That $15 million at this stage I would see being invested in an appropriate financial instrument to generate a return to the Labor Council.
The Labor Council has taken a decision a number of years ago to subsidise affiliation of the Council, and I think if you look at the funding at the moment, we are basically charging affiliates about half of what the real cost of running the Labor Council is. And I think that is appropriate, particularly at a time when affiliates have a lot of pressure on their own finances and there is a shift to strategies to build the union movement with a ? being able to fund that through a subsidized affiliation of the Labor Council.
So, the short answer is we will invest it in an appropriate financial instrument to generate additional resources for the Labor Council. It is up to other people, that is the Labor Council itself, to determine over the medium term how those funds are best utilized in the interests of the Council's objectives.
That really ends the year with a bang. What was your highlight of 2000?
My highlight was the Olympics. The Olympics was a tremendous example of how trade unionism can work. How the principles underpinning trade unions can be applied for the benefit of both the general community and the individual workers that work in particular industries.
We were able to deliver, not only in the lead-up to the Olympics, a construction programme that was before time and under budget. During the Olympics we were able to deliver a workforce that was appropriately remunerated and had certainty in terms of their working conditions, and in addition because of the certainty had a very high level of morale which fed into the broader public perceptions of the success of the Olympics.
I guess one thing about the Olympics was that it was more of an old-style servicing way of going about unionizing a workforce, and there has been some debate about organising in recent times. What is your take on that debate?
Well, I have not been part of the debate. It is a false debate. I have always seen that rganizing is important, as well as servicing, and the balance has to be struck within each individual rganizing n, based on their current density within particular sectors they seek to represent.
Clearly, rganizing ns that have high levels of density have to place a high degree of emphasis on servicing. Those that are struggling to ensure that they keep up with growth in their sector really have to adopt an rganizing model. But they are not mutually exclusive, they are complementary.
Looking back on year from twelve months ago, a lot of what you were talking about was getting a closer relationship with the Carr Government, particularly through the State Labor Advisory Council. That seems to have dropped off the radar a bit in recent times. Where is it up to? Where has SLAC gone?
I don't think it has dropped off the radar. I think if you look at the relationship of the State Labor Government to the Labor Council and the broader labour movement, at this moment it is actually very healthy. I have to say one of the highlights associated with the Olympics during the year was the Premier's presentation, or address to Labor Council, post the Olympics. That is probably one of the most significant Labor events I have been to. He was genuinely complimentary and congratulatory of the labour movement's role and I can say that the response from the labour movement to the Premier on that occasion was a tremendous response.
SLAC was always designed to be a committee that worked behind closed doors. It is more an internal committee than a public committee, so it is not surprising that people are not aware of some of its achievements.
But it is still meeting regularly?
It meets regularly, but more importantly, sub-committees meet on a regular basis, and in many ways the successful public sector wage deal was negotiated - was a product of the SLAC process. We resolved a number of quite difficult issues, particularly to do with government approaches to contracting, competitive tendering, and also support for industry through the SLAC process.
So I am very pleased with its progress and particularly the level of access we get through that committee to the Premier and senior ministers.
One change in the last twelve months has been the departure of Jeff Shaw and his replacement as IR Minister by John Della Bosca. Has that changed the way Labor Council does business in any way?
Well, each individual Minister brings a different style to the job, but the basic relationship is a strong relationship with the Minister for Industrial Relations no matter who it is, and that has continued since the departure of Jeff Shaw.
The new ACTU leadership team has been in the job for about twelve months now. What s your evaluation of their performance?
Look, I think it was always going to be difficult for the current leadership, given that they were following some quite significant trade union figures in Bill Kelty and Jennie George. I have to say that one thing that has been pleasing about the relationship is that the ACTU leadership has understood the role of the Labor Council and has made some efforts - welcome efforts - to reach out to us. The ACTU, like the Labor Council, cannot presume that it has a right to exist. It has to remain at all times relevant to its affiliation base, and that is a challenge for all peak councils. I think the Labor Council has had that challenge. I am optimistic that we can meet that challenge, and I think the ACTU is in the same position. It needs to articulate the role of a national peak council, and gain a consensus around what that role is and then seek to implement that in a professional manner. I suppose the early judgment on that is that there have been some initial positive steps in that area.
What about the Howard government and the change in the Workplace Relations Minister? Do you think there will be any change from Reith to Abbott?
I think the government has made a fairly serious miscalculation in relation to its appointments. Tony Abbott is somebody I have known for a number of years and somebody clearly of high intellect, but in certain areas he lacks maturity and it will be a real test of him - of his capabilities - whether he can transcend some of the more ideological positions that he has held in relation to employment issues and translate that into a positive relationship with the trade union movement. If I was Tony Abbott I would be seeking to reach out to the trade union movement and engage them in a constructive dialogue about the appropriate structure.
Another Minister that believes that attacking the trade union movement will lift the federal government's political standing is really in for a shock. All our polling has consistently showed that people do not like government's attacking trade unions. They believe trade unions have a role, and the real issue for the government, given that we will never agree with it ideologically, is for them to sit down and enter into a constructive relationship around issues that are important to the workforce. And the sorts of issues I am talking about are casualisation - the explosion of casualisation; the explosion of insecurity as a consequence of that casualisation; and the need to send a very strong message to the Australian workforce that governments do care and governments are prepared to take appropriate action to ensure that living standards are maintained and that the sense of security that comes from having a social safety net is also enhanced rather than diminished through a campaign of denigrating the social safety net.
What about the federal election coming up next year? What do you think will happen there?
My prediction is that provided Labor can resolve some of its short-term internal issues, that Labor is in a very good position to win that federal election. All the indications are that the global economy is starting to slow. The Fed Reserve decision to look at cutting interest rates is a clear example of that, which means that we are highly likely to have an election that is in the context of economic uncertainty. Now, Labor needs to ensure that it projects a set of policy positions that provide the community with the reassurance that they are firstly able to govern in a unified way, and secondly, that they understand that insecurity is a critical underpinning concern of the electorate.
What can anyone do about insecurity?
They can do a lot. They firstly cannot continuously attack the social safety net. Every time you attack the social safety net people feel insecure because many people rely on the social safety net as the basis of firstly, their sense of security that if things go wrong they will at least have a set of protections, and secondly there are a great deal of people still, that actual rely directly on the social safety net for their livelihood.
The federal government has continually placed pressure on the social safety net. Now, that is not an argument against appropriate restructuring and re-focusing on the social safety-net, I think that all sides of politics would agree on that. But to continually attack people who are recipients of benefits, as being either malingerers or bludgers on the system is really not an appropriate role for a government to take. Governments should encourage, should support and should reward, rather than criticize, denigrate and attack.
Finally, the speculation is that you won't be around a lot longer. What sort of shape do you see leaving the union movement in?
Firstly, I have made it very clear that I won't be around at the next State election, which is two-and-a-half years away, which means that at least for the next two-and-a-half-years I may well be at Labor Council, so I reject all that speculation that I am leaving.
In terms of my legacy, I think I have done a number of things. I have built on some of the positive restructuring that has occurred in the past in relation to the factional structure. I don't think anybody that is associated with the Labor Council today under my leadership would believe that it runs factionally. I think it has been a very positive move and I actually think that over time that will pay dividends in the Labor Party. People are not focused on the issues rather than personalities and ideological position. I think that is a very positive move.
In terms of the Council itself, with hopefully acceptance of the proposals I am putting up at the AGM next year, I will leave a very financially secure Labor Council. In fact this Labor Council will be the most secure peak council in the country. We are in a position to lead a renaissance of the trade union movement through both our resources and personnel - and I take a lot of pride in that.
by Peter Lewis
|
A Unionised Olympics
Who would have thought we'd be able to unionise the Olympics? Not only were the marvelous sites built with union labour - on time and under budget - but thousands of workers during the actual Games in security, catering and cleaning chose to join Unions 2000. With affiliates working together and pooling resources, Unions 2000 emrged as a model for future organizing that cuts across traditional demarcation lines.
Reith HitsTrouble
If the Olympics weren't enough to make us smile - Peter Reith's run-in with a Telecard was sweet justice. The bumbling sun, Madame X and Mr Y - it became a cloak and dagger thriller that left Reith visibly shaken, but still managing to hang on to his ministry - proof that standards of behavour in the Howard Government are now officially obselete. Importantly, Reith is now so politically damaged unlikely to see him trying on the outrageous attacks on unions that have become his stock and trade.
All in the Family
Perhaps the most bizarre industrial dispute of the year was National Textiles. It started with a group of Newcastle workers left without their entitlements but quickly drew in national attention when it emerged the boss was none other than Stan Howard, brother of the PM. Federal Cabinet's one-off relief package looked a little close to home and it wasn't long before the workers were barbequeing outside Stan's Harbour foreshore home.
Fair Trade or Free?
The most interesting debate of the year had to be over trade policy. Doug Cameron's mantra "I'm for fair trade not free trade" went to the very heart of globalisation. To supporters, he was tapping into a growing anti-corporatist movement that climaxed at the S11 protests outside the World Economic Forum. To his critics hye's a dinosaur offering workers the hope of a world of trade protection that no longer exists.. One thing's for sure, the iossue has split the factions in new directions. As one observer at the ALP's Hobart Conference put it - if there had been a free vote, half the Left would have voted for free trade and half the Right for fair!
Wealth Gap Increases
In terms of economic indicators, the big story of the year were statistics showing the gap between rich and poor is widening. As the Australian newspaper reported, the disappearance of the middle class is emerging as a key effect of globalisation. Instead we have an increasing number of winners and losers. Executive salaries spiral out of control, while the number of working poor continue to increase. All of which shows the importance of the ACTU's Living Wage claim for $28 per week, currently before the AIRC.
NSW Pushes IR Envelope
The Carr Government proved that IR is not a static issue with an inquiry into labour hire being chaired by former ACTU President Jennie George. Unions waved goodbye to Jeff Shaw, who pulled the pin mid-year to return to the industrial bar,hailing him as the best NSW industrial relations minister ever. By year's end the new IR minister John Della Bosca had picked up the reformist ball and was looking at new online rights for wired workers.
Casino Workers Strike
It started with a row over what socks workers could wear and ended in the first ever strike at Sydney casino. When the LHMU members walked at 3am, they were making history and showing that organizing in the new economy can deliver results. Later the workers voted to reject a management offer to grant big pay rises providing the union was written out of the equation, The workers stood firm and unionism gained a foothold at Star City.
Joy Workers Triumph
After one of the longest lockouts in Australian industrial history, Joy Mining workers emerged victorious after a seveb month dispute. Lawyers for the company through everything at the workers and their supporters - descending to covertly videoing rallies and taking out personal writs against identified protestors. But the Moss Vale workers stood firm, winning back their jobs and re-energising the South Coast region with their solidarity,
Solidarity on Fiji
The coup on our doorstop highlighted the importance of international solidarity and the role the Net can play in a crisis. As the drama played out in Fiji, The LHMU's Andrew Casey was receiving daily reports from the Fijian trade union movement; he was placing these on the LaborNet Lives News Feed, which became a primary news source, often breaking stories before reporters on the ground. Meanwhile, the ACTU and individual affiliates backed the Fijian workers with a series of bans - placing far more pressure on Speight's junta than the limp-wristed Howard Government.
New ACTU Team Beds Down
The Combet-Burrow team has quietly gone about their business of remaking the ACTU. An indication of the cultural change is the emphasis now being put on organizing and communications and the quality of the young people being brought into the organization. On this note, we are sad to be saying goodbye to Noel Hester who has been poached after his brilliant effort editing Workers Online this year. All they need now is to follow my fashion advice to Greg - sideburns and paisley.
Labourstart's Eric Lee |
Some say it was the first year of the new millennium, but scholars will point out that it really was only the last year of the last one. The third millennium doesn't actually start for another couple of weeks. Regardless, it was an incredibly exciting year for the labour movement worldwide. As I look over LabourStart for the last year, I see at least four major recurring news stories.
Violence against Workers and their Unions:
The first major news story we reported on LabourStart this year was a tragic one -- the first death of a striker on a picket line in New Zealand since 1912. January also saw coverage of the International Federation of Journalists' annual report on the killing of members of their profession (87 in 1999). In Ecuador that month, police attacked strikers and protesting students with tear gas. Two months later, the International Confederation of Trade Union's reported that neighboring country Colombia holds the world record for killing trade unionists, with 3,000 dead in the last decade. In El Salvador riot police broke a medical workers strike by occupying clinics in February. In Indonesia in March, unions demanded a probe into the killing of a union activist; five days later, police in Turkey attacked and beat workers attending a memorial meeting. In April the Bolivian government used the army to crack down on union protests; meanwhile in South Korea riot police were used for the same purpose. In late June, the South Korean riot police made headlines around the globe as they stormed a luxury hotel where the workers had been engaged in peaceful strike action. Violence continued in Korea throughout the summer. In September the ICFTU reported that 140 trade unionists were killed in 1999.
Unions and the Struggle for Democracy
The year begin with two labour movements fighting it out against anti-democratic forces -- one in Zimbabwe, where the leader of the country's unions challenged Mugabe, and the other in Austria, where unions were active in the protests against the "Blue-Black" national government set up with the participation of the fascist Haider. At year's end we reported on the struggle by American trade unions to get every vote counted in the disputed Florida presidential contest. Unions also took a leading role in the struggle for democracy in two of Europe's last dictatorships -- in Serbia and Belarus. Coal miners were in the forefront of the successful movement to topple the Milosevic regime. But at year's end Mugabe was still in power in Zimbabwe, Haider's party sat comfortably in the Austrian coalition, the Belarussian dictator Lukashenko was still in power, and George W. Bush was declared president-elect. At least Milosevic was gone.
General strikes:
This old tactic, largely forgotten in the industrialized West, was used again and again by embattled unions around the globe -- sometimes with successful results. Millions took to the streets in a general strike organized by the Congress of South African Trade Unions in May -- their first such action since the end of Apartheid and one which revealed new tensions between unions and the government. The South Korean unions held a general strike of their own in early June, but it appears to have petered out. The Israeli unions called off their general strike at the very last moment as the Labour government of Ehud Barak caved in to many of their demands. The Nigerian general strike in June also ended in success, as the government lowered petrol prices. The same happened to the general strike in Mozambique in July -- called off when the government backed down.
Unions and the New Technology:
There were some extraordinary developments this year, beginning with the announcement by Ford and the United Auto Workers early in February that the company would be giving away computers and Internet access to 350,000 of its employees world-wide. Several other companies followed up with similar announcements. But there was bad news as well: a week after Ford's announcement, a US court authorized Northwest Airlines to seize personal computers from the homes of employees who had been involved in organizing an "illegal" sick-out using email. In late February, union organizers at Los Angeles International Airport placed ads on the Yahoo! website that would appear every time someone looked up the name of the company which had been targeted for unionization -- ads which pointed to the union's website and which made clear that the company was violating labour laws left and right; Yahoo! pulled the ads under pressure, but this was met by a union demonstration at their headquarters. In March, Workers Online reported on a mysterious blocking of access to the website of the New South Wales Teachers Federation. In July the international labour movement proposed a new '.union' top level domain on the Internet -- and the proposal was promptly shot down in November by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). ICANN held its first world-wide online elections to its board -- and independent labour candidate Eric Lee placed 4th out of 54 candidates running in the North American region. The year ended with the dramatic announcement -- nearly simultaneously in four countries -- of a global drive to unionize the flagship of the "new economy" -- Amazon.com.
Much more happened than this in 2000, but as I scanned the headlines, it struck how many news stories dealt with violence against workers, the struggle for democracy, general strikes and the new technology
by Sarah Kaine
Sarah Kaine |
And - at the risk of further knocks and pisstaking, I want to declare myself still firmly in the Organising camp. Why? Because in those unions which are giving it a real go we are seeing real results.
This year the Municipal Employees Union took me and three Organising works trainees on to help organise white-collar workers in a number of councils.
You want an honest assessment? - Well we didn't set all of the councils on fire, but the ones we did provide my argument for organising.
Liverpool Council is a case in point.
The outdoor workers were well organised with strong membership. The indoor workers were not. Organising Works trainee Rebecca Pound was allocated Liverpool Council as one of her targets and she followed an Organising approach to the letter. So, what happened?
Rebecca met with existing members, found out that they had been working a 38-hour week where they should have been working a 35-hour week and were not being paid the three hours overtime. Obviously, there was her issue.
With the assistance of a few existing members, she set up an informal committee to consider options for resolving the issue. These workers drew up a flyer to handout to other workers, they allocated who spoke to each worker to get them onside and arranged for the making and distribution of badges proclaiming "BETTER RATE FOR 38". These workers involved others in informal lunchtime meetings and mass meetings where votes were required on tactics. One of those votes was for the negotiating committee which repeatedly fronted management.
And now for the million-dollar question - Did they win?
Well as a proponent of Organising, I would say they won because they ended up with a self-sufficient collective structure which can be further refined and built on when the next issue arises. But I know this is not enough for the sceptics and for them I am happy to relate the following deal was negotiated and struck by the workers committee (none of whom had any previous negotiating experience):
� 1st year of agreement workers to be paid for 38 hours but only work 37 and get a $20 bonus per week
� 2nd year work 36 get paid 38 plus a $10 bonus per week
� 3rd year of agreement work 35 get paid 38
And now a question for the Union secretaries - did it result in an increase in membership?
Yes - over 30 new members amongst the indoor workers to be precise.
Did we achieve any lasting change?
Well, the MEU has posted net growth for 2000 and Secretary Brian Harris, monitored the results of the year closely (don't forget he had to pay the bill for me and the trainee Organisers!) and has now linked his Organisers pay scale to their adoption of techniques such as those Rebecca used at Liverpool Council.
Is this proof enough to win over the detractors? I doubt it - maybe the non-believers shouldn't be taking my word for it........maybe they should ask the workers at Liverpool Council whether or not organising works.
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Nearly two centuries ago the British political economist David Ricardo argued that understanding the distribution of income between social classes was 'the principal problem in political economy'. That was in the days when economists felt comfortable talking about classes. Nowadays they talk about 'economic agents' and 'utility-maximising individuals'. But the big issues about class and income distribution that concerned Ricardo, and subsequently Karl Marx, have not gone away. Indeed, the concern with the processes that shape the broad pattern of economic rewards is even more pertinent today.
The last decade has seen massive economic restructuring-globally, nationally and locally. Transnational corporations have been rearranging their activities on a global scale, effectively 'shopping around' the globe for cheap labour, low taxes and lax environmental regulations. National governments have been pursuing 'economic rationalist' policies of privatisation, deregulation and trade liberalisation, which reduce the impediments to the interests of global capital. Locally, our patterns of urban and regional development - some areas booming while others stagnate - are the 'fall out' from this restructuring process.
Dramatic changes are also affecting the workforce. The proportion of manufacturing jobs in the Australian economic continues its long-term decline. Casualisation is affecting an increasing number of workers. Job security has become the exception rather than the norm. Meanwhile, executive salaries escalate to bizarre proportions: over $1 million per annum is common, with some remuneration packages now exceeding $6 million p.a. Even John Howard has conceded that such payments are 'over the top', although he has done nothing about them. Labour is evidently doing it tough, while the recipients of income from capital are feeding at the trough.
The dramatic redistribution of income in the 'nineties has been noted by many radical critics. However, the federal Governments' own Productivity Commission has now confirmed the trends towards greater economic inequality. This is significant because this impeccably conservative institution is usually associated with 'economic rationalist' prescriptions. Certainly no one could accuse it of left-wing bias! Yet, its report, called Distribution of the Economic Gains of the 1990s, published in November 2000, clearly shows a widening chasm between rich and poor, with a 'shrinking middle' in between. The richest ten percent of Australian households increased their incomes faster than any other group over the 'nineties. Those at the bottom end have struggled to maintain their income share, while there has been some hollowing out in the middle of the income distribution. Overall, income inequality is increasing.
The distribution of wealth is even more unequal. The Productivity Commission report notes that, despite the explosion of share ownership from 9% to 54% of households between 1986 and 1989, mainly as a result of the privatisation of public enterprises, the top 10 per cent of income earners own 90 per cent of the shares held directly by individuals. Wealth from home ownership is also unevenly distributed, with the top 50 per cent of households having 90 per cent of the total: that means that the other half of households have only 10 per cent. As the report says 'wealth distribution is more unequal than income and became more unequally distributed during the late 1990s'.
An even more recent report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that where workers are in the distribution of household incomes depends significantly on the industry in which they work and the type of wage negotiations that apply. The average weekly earnings in the mining industry in May 2000 was $1337. At the other extreme, in the hospitality industry, wages of workers in hotels, cafes and restaurants averaged $606 for men and $570 for women. Corresponding averages for all workers in electricity, gas and water supply were $999, finance and insurance $862, government administration $783, and transport and storage $774. These were average earnings for a sample of 55,000 workers surveyed by the ABS.
Interestingly, the ABS survey also shows the benefits of operating under collective agreements rather than individual contracts. The former averaged $888 per week - $30 more than the latter. Workers who have to rely on the 'safety net' minimum legal requirements do very much worse, their pay averaging $235 per week less than other employees.
This new information has important implications. Most obviously, it adds fuel to the ACTU's current case for a $28 per week 'living-wage' increase for low-paid workers. It also shows the benefits for workers who continue to insist on collective agreements. This is the context in which union organisation clearly pays off. Indeed, when the Sydney Morning Herald picked up on this ABS survey, it ran a front-page headline 'best pay still won by union muscle' (12.12.2000): a refreshing change, some might say, from the usual media headline 'Wages Threat Looms' whenever workers' incomes are discussed! So that too is official: get with the strength of the union.
Reversing the trend towards growing economic inequality remains a colossal task. The contest between capital and labour over the fruits of economically productive activity remains the front line struggle. But a comprehensive assault on growing economic inequalities also requires a more progressive tax system and economic policies which limit the power of capital to restructure the economy in its own class interests. It require radical challenge to the globalisation of capital, the practices of corporate manageralism and the policies of economic rationalism. What is at stake is our capacity to live and work together in a reasonably cooperative and harmonious society.
Frank Stilwell is Professor of Political Economy at the University of Sydney. His analysis of the Australian economy and proposals for radical reforms are further developed in his new book, Changing Track: a New Political Economic Direction for Australia, published by Pluto Press, Sydney. Website: http://plutoaustralia.com
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Flying back across the Pacific, grateful to be returning from my American sojourn, but with no result, I couldn't help feeling swindled. I'm not sure that I feel any different now. Either way the Americans have finally found the perfect way to piss off political insiders, tie the vote and deny both sides the legitimacy and mandate of a clear win.
Safely back home, I watched the America's cranky old systems fumble the Florida result, from County Electoral Commissioners, to State Legislature, local courts, State Supreme Court and the US Supreme Court, backwards and forwards, we see a set of structures that are hopelessly partisan and ill equipped to deal with the situation.
It really did seem quite simple - in a western democracy, when there is a close vote, the outcome is determined by re-examining the votes and establishing a uniform and consistent set of principles for discerning the actual intention of the voters - not really rocket science. But it is something that the world's greatest democracy clearly can't manage.
Instead, like a weird repeat of the OJ trial, Bush's lawyers have played with words constructing arrays of specious arguments - you almost expected them to shout, "look at the silly monkey" in the middle of the trial. In the end it got too boring - even for a political junkie like me.
The conclusion came when US Supreme Court handed down what is potentially the most blatantly partisan decision in political history - admitting that there were irregularities and inconsistencies but bemoaning that there was no more time available. It is difficult to reconcile this argument, when in the same judgment; the court acknowledged that they had the power to freely adjust the timelines.
In fact, the re-count could have just been completed by the December 12 deadline if the court hadn't granted an injunction stopping the re-count the previous Saturday. Seems just a bit too convenient. But for Gore, what do you do when the umpire is hopelessly biased - with pressure mounting for a resolution, his only option was to go gracefully.
But lets not shed too many tears for Gore, the reality is that the proliferation of polling and focus groups have meant a blanding down of politics and ideology. Both candidates have raced to the middle. And the US centre is way to the right by Australian standards. Undoubtedly Gore's convictions are more to the left than his actual policies, as are Bush's convictions more to the right, but both men will follow the polls and position themselves firmly in the mainstream.
Will this trend mean that, in the future, as public opinion measuring techniques become more accurate, that candidates on either side will be even more closely matched? Can we expect many more tied votes? If so, then the US electoral authorities better get their act together.
The Republicans have the Presidency and the casting vote in the Senate - but the President has, at best, a weak mandate and the Senate requires a vote of 60% of the members to close the debate for a vote. Although a simple majority may win a vote, 41% of the floor may effectively block a motion. The Republicans have a slim majority in the House of Representatives, which, because their members are not bound to vote the party line, will not be enough to ensure their command of the chamber.
Race to the centre aside, maybe there could be something even really insidious going on. What if the American population actually want the parties balancing each other off? What if the average person has been following the polls and has changed their vote to achieve a tie? A nation that fundamentally distrusts government and politicians, has perhaps found a way to balance each other off and make them work together.
Indeed, gridlock has been the true winner of this election. Even if it was pure co-incidence it couldn't have worked out better for your average politician hater. The finely balanced outcome puts the two parties in the position where neither can achieve anything without the cooperation of the other.
Americans are 'can do' - they like action, not partisan bickering. The parties have to recognise their common interests, work together and make each other look good. The alternative is to continue fighting and go down, in the public opinion - together. With the acrimony of the Presidential election and the inevitable rancour arising from the Supreme Court decision, it doesn't look like things have gotten off to a very promising start.
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t's called The Little-Read Book - The Chaser Annual 2000 and it's compendium of The Chaser and Silly 2000 that excludes all the worst stuff we've written since May 1999. Ok, most of it.
It also has all next year's satire written in advance and an exclusive set of conversation checklists to help you sound intelligent in the year 2001.
And there's a foreward by John Clarke from The Games.
It's really good - but don't believe us, believe these people we invented ...
"It's great - I laughed almost as much as when that Aussie walker got disqualified in the Games". - John, Wagga Wagga.
"I bought one for myself and copies for all my friends too - all my Christmas shopping done in one hit. It was so easy - thanks Chaser". - Alison, Tempe.
... and all for only $16.95 (+ postage and handling) in those piddling little Australian dollars ... it's an ideal gift for Christmas.
You can get a sneak preview of The Little-Read Book and BUY IT ONLINE NOW
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As we know, 2000 will be remembered as the year the Olympics came to Sydney. The year that most people's lives revolved around a two-week global event; it was a disappointment as much it was a success. The reason for this was that the Olympics showcased our potential to the rest of the world, however it may never reach its full potential. As an example, the final three songs of the opening ceremony were chances blown in the wind.
Just who were the artists that represented Australian music at the most watched television event in history? Are they a true representation of the Australian music industry? Absolutely not. John Farnham, Olivia Newton John, Tina Arena and Vanessa Amerosi may be talented artists, but I've come to realise why they were chosen. It's simple. Album sales have been down for Farnsy and little Tina, so why not open up new markets in Burkina Faso, or Equatorial Giunea for that matter.
Gold Medal Song of the year: Paul Kelly- Every F.cking City.
This song would have fit perfectly as the theme song to the Olympics. Instead they opted for the Flame by Tina Arena. There is no disputing; Paul Kelly is a genius. No other Australian songwriter captures the heart of the listener with such a laidback style. I really do think that we missed out at these Games, but at least many WO readers should agree with me this year.
Here's some other outstanding releases of 2000.
Best Rock Album: Perfect Circle- Mer De Noms
Best Australian Album: Kavisha Mazzella- Mermaids in the well
Best Electronic/ Dance Album: Everything But the Girl- Temperamental
Best Pop Album: Elliot Smith- Figure 8
Best Club Compilation: Ministry of Sound- Dance Nation feat Brandon Block + Tall Paul
Best Movie Soundtrack: Music from the movie- Virgin Suicides
Best Live Act: BodyJar
Post-Olympic City Life
As predicted last year, there was huge influx of new eateries, food courts, and bars in the past 12
months. Whilst we experienced Sydney Olympic fever in September, there was something greater happening to our city. Our streets were being cleaned up, extra lighting was installed and Sydney siders were showing the rest of the world how to party. For sixteen days, you could venture into the City at any time and find something to do. New Cafes, Bars and Restaurants were opened every day to a point where there is no place in the city that is more than 100m from a beer or coffee. Whilst all of these venues opened in time for the Olympics, I feel that there's an oversupply that will be hard to sustain. Our only hope is that with an extended period of day light saving, more and more people will utilize what we have.
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, At Least Not In Australia
In the prophetic words of Gil Scott Heron, Australian television audiences suffered miserably this year. Where have all the quality programs gone, you may ask? The shitload of REAL TV programs that infiltrated our screens carries with it severe health risks, and we don't realize it. Since when did notions of cleaning up the backyard shed (Backyard Blitz, AUS), eating water rats (Survivor, US) and wiping the arse of naughty rich children (Au-Pair, UK) constitute entertainment. Instead, it is turning us into a nation of voyeurs, keen on seeing the faults and misfortunes of others in real life. While we are there, we may as well bring back the pioneer of Australian REAL TV, Sylvania Waters.
In another anti-climax for television audiences, we were force fed copious amounts of Bruce McEvaney's verbal orgasms during the Olympics on Channel 7. It became unbearable when Thorpey pocketed his third gold medal, so we had to turn off for a while. As a compromise and an excuse to stay up we had Roy and HG's The Dream provide some viewing relief, all sixteen days of it. The Worker's Prince- 'Fatso' the fat-arsed wombat stole the limelight and should be awarded a Gold Logie for pissing off the commercially driven AOC. If you missed out on buying Olympic pins, I suggest a look at the best of The Dream, which is all you really need as a memory of the Games.
Wishing everyone a great festive season, see you in 2001.
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Sharan Burrow (ACTU President)
- The ACTU's 2001 Living Wage Case will deliver low-paid workers and their families a much needed $28 increase in minimum wages.
- The 27 per cent of Australian workers employed as casuals will gain access to parental and maternity leave and the tide will be turned on excessive working hours by a successful ACTU reasonable hours case.
- Peter Reith will be removed as Workplace Relations Minister to serve as Peter Costello's junior parliamentary secretary.
Arch Bevis (Opposition industrial relations spokesman)
- In industrial relations we'll see more of the bovver boy under Tony Abbott - specifically we'll see registered organizations legislation and a direct attack on the operation and existence of trade unions through that legislation.
- You're going to see mounting nervousness on the coalition backbench as the slow-down on the economy is really starts to bite.
- The federal election will be called in third or fourth quarter - I expect in the third quarter before CHOGM in October. Election odds would be an even money bet at this stage. We probably have our nose marginally in front because of the numbers of marginal seats.
John Della Bosca, (NSW Minister ofr Industrial relations)
I'm hoping the new Federal Workplace Relations Minister Tony Abbott will, as an ex-seminarian, go back and read Rerum Novarum, Quadragessimo Anno and Pope John Paul II's encyclical on the condition of the working class. If he does, I predict he'll reject the Reith-Howard agenda and adopt new federal industrial laws based on our New South Wales model."
Michael Costa (Secretary, Labor Council of NSW)
- Kim Beazley to win October election in narrowly fought contest
- Cashed-up Labor Council to mount takeover of ACTU.
Michael Crosby (TUTA Director)
New Pope allows married priests - Tony Abbott returns to seminary.
Sid Marris (The Australian)
An election will be called some time after July and, regrettably, a politician will win.
Nathalie Davidson (AAP)
Phil Davey leaves the CFMEU to take up a McDonalds franchise.
Peter Moss (Director Lodestar Communications)
Politics: Federal Labor sweeps to power with 98% of the vote thanks to the adoption of a radical two-pronged campaign strategy. The first prong sees the creation of a myriad of new Labor parties, each tailored to capture a troublesome demographic identified in party polling. Feral Labor pulls in the green vote, Sports Labor attracts the disgruntled male, Four Wheel Drive Labor ties up the suburban aspirationalists, Cool Labor brings in the young'uns and Liberal Labor steals Howard's heartland. The second prong of the winning Labor strategy is the recruitment of Sophie Lee and Rob Sitch as the public face of the Party. Parliament is replaced by a late night live televised chat show, where former Shadow Ministers throw around policy ideas with the panel. Decisions are based on the reactions of a randomly selected studio audience equipped with worm meters.
Sport: Packer/Murdoch/Telstra/Foxtel, now the owners of the nation's major sports AFL, rugby league and cricket, take the obvious step and combine the most popular elements of the three games into the new code of KerryBall. Umpire, commentator, player and shareholder Eddie McGuire says: 'Aussie sports fans should be punching the air with delight. We've kept the exciting bits, pissed off all the boring stuff and thrown in a touch of Gladiators and a smidgin of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Best of all, once you shell out for pay TV, you can watch KerryBall live in prime time every night of the year. And to keep the traditionalists happy, we're bringing back Souths.'
Media: Friends of the ABC say: 'Come back Jonathon, all is forgiven!' as the much-maligned offshore strategy of the former Young Liberal comes up trumps. By shifting all ABC assets and staff to Bermuda, Shier solves both his financial and industrial relations problems. The low-cost, no-tax operating environment delivers massive savings which double the program budget overnight. Quentin Dempster and Romana Koval lead a sheepish procession of former belligerents offering their apologies to the great man. 'It's indicative of the dedication of ABC staff that we were prepared to co-locate to this distant paradi ... I mean island,' said Quentin. Four Corners wins a Walkley for discovering the missing Michael Hutchence fortune. 'Actually, the kids found it when they were digging sand castles,' said an executive producer.
Mark Morey (Labor Council of NSW)
1. Buffy will fall pregnant; and
2. Mark Taylor will become Governor General
Peter Lewis (Workers Online)
- a slimmed-down Beazley sweeps to power after completing City to Surf. John Howard leaves politics to set up Doomsday religious sect based at Badgery's Creek and father Jacqui Kelly's love child
- (This one' serious!) Jose Bove released from jail for bulldozing a McDonalds and starts his successful run for French president.
- Troy Luff wins Brownlow as Swans take the flag.
Michael Gadiel (Labor Council on NSW)
Bill and Hillary Clinton get divorced. Al marries Hillary and plans his run for First Husband in 2004.
Phil Davey (CFMEU)
- Michael Costa and John Robertson will both grow luxuriant curly hair next year.
- Michael Costa will NOT become treasurer of NSW next year.
- Tony Abbott will be awarded "tool of the week" by Pete Lewis before June.
- The CFMEU will continue to invite guest speakers to Labor Council meetings who will continue to force Costa and Robbo to sing and give the socialist salute against their will.
- Paul Howes will organise a Labor Council float for next years Mardi Gras.
- John Robertson will refuse to be part of the float
- Michael Costa will participate, provided he can wear a baseball cap backwards.
- Michael Costa will be vilified in Green Left Weekly next year.
- Sam Moat will develop a heavy handed, Stalinistic chairing style at Labor Council meetings, which will see the duration of meetings drop to under 10 minutes.
- John Robertson will continue to complain about CFMEU guest speakers at Labor Council meetings.
Chris Christodoulou (Labor Council)
Athen will be stripped pf the 2004 Olympics, it will be awarded to Wollongong instead.
by Noel Hester and Peter Moss
Sunline |
Dinner Guest of the Year Award - Sunline
OK their sportspeople can't win a trick but what about those Kiwi horses- EH? I've never been able to take Swan Jason Saddington seriously ever since he nominated Octagonal as one of five people he'd invite to a dinner party in a Footy Record profile. But now, anthropomorphically speaking, I can see his point of view. I'd slip Sunline with a bowl of oats between Juliette Binoche with a rice wafer (a spunk is compulsory at these dinner parties), and Steve Waugh with a plate of nails. Actually I might put the horse next to me. I suspect Sunline would say more and laugh louder than those two. This sensational mare cemented her greatness with an awesome 7-length win in the Cox Plate - her second Plate on the trot. There's more to come. The best racemare I have ever seen.
The Bugger Being Humble Award - Winner: Anthony Mundine
We hate you Choc, we love you Choc, we hate you, we love you - cos you're a winner and therefore a great Australian. He still has a fair journey ahead but Mundine is well on the way to proving his own hype - that he really is an exceptional athlete capable of switching disciplines and going all the way. Sure he has the pedigree but it's still a formidable ask to begin a completely new sports career at the age of 25 and head for the top. Well managed and placed Mundine has shredded along the learning arc with each fight. After only four professional bouts and within a year he's a realistic chance for the Australian title next up. A blistering pace, we fear burnout, whatever you're taking, Choc, take it easy.
The Lionel Murphy Agitators Award: Australian Women's Water Polo Team
To paraphrase the late, great jurist: 'Our water polo team are entitled to be agitators.' Two years ago in a memorable moment these admirable women brought sex, guts and savvy to the art of demonstrating as they made the Grand Ole Misogynists of the IOC walk a gauntlet of shame at Sydney Airport as they pushed for the introduction of their sport into the Olympic arena. Fast forward two years and we have the ultimate vindication: a thrilling, heart stopping, last gasp win in the Olympic final. It was the Olympics in microcosm - an obscure sport producing edge-of-seat drama and a quickening of the pulse.
The Holy Grail Award for Perseverance - George Piggins
They can beat him on the field, they can beat him in the courts, they can beat him in News Limited's compromised sports pages. But no-one can make the pug-nosed, cauliflowered-eared former hooker George Piggins give up his fight to save South Sydney Rugby League Club. As the public face of the campaign to save the Rabbitohs, George has transcended his own sporting and business achievements to become that rare entity of the modern era - a genuine community leader fighting for what is right against the venal power of the Murdoch empire. At times one is reminded of the brave but foolish character in Monty Python's Search for the Holy Grail who wanted to go again after losing all four limbs in a swordfight. But George is no lone nutter. His leadership is part of the reason the Battle for Souths is bigger than the Battle for Souths. Why else are we seeing hundreds of thousands of people getting active in the Souths campaign - when so few were prepared to attend the club's games in latter years?
The Real McCoy Award for Leadership - Steve Waugh
Unlike some cricketing nations, Australia has not struggled to produce captains of stature over the last 15 years. In Border and Taylor we had two of the greats. Pretty big boots, it seemed, for Steve Waugh to slip into. But only a couple of years into his captaincy, Waugh is set to go down as one of our very greatest, and not just thanks to his leadership during the record string of Test wins and , earlier, the World Cup. Waugh has remade the character of his team according to the qualities he himself has displayed throughout his career. Unflinching determination and concentration, fierce pressure and aggression, the insight to identify the opponent's vulnerability and then to ruthlessly exploit that. To overcome fear by confronting and staring down the source. You see this stuff on silly t-shirts, but Steve Waugh is the genuine article. Herschelle Gibbs will go to his grave with Waugh's sledge 'you just dropped the World Cup' for company. With Waugh at the helm, there are no more soft losses or draws when a series is decided. Every day in every Test is played as if it might be the last. And Waugh off the pitch is a bloke you'd happily sharing a beer with - though I'm not sure he'd stretch to a latte. He's not matey with the Prime Miniature, he's got a demonstrated humanitarian streak and the writing and photography in his tour diaries are not bad at all. Crikey, he's even got the players researching and delivering talks on Australian history at team meetings.
The Deigo Maradonna Award for Partying - Jai Taurimo
Who said you have to join a monastery if you want to make it in elite sport? Not Jai Taurimo, who took out the long jump Silver Medal in September. At 4am the next day he was snapped celebrating - not in some elite club with the A-list, but propping up the public bar with the locals at the Homebush Hotel. He had a fag in hand and 19 bourbon and cokes lined up down the bar. What a contrast to Tatiana Grigorieva whose first reported words after she took Silver in the pole vault referred to the millions of dollars she would now make marketing herself.
The Mother Theresa Award: Cathy Freeman
The sports story of the year - nine million Australians didn't watch Cathy win the 400 metre final. Get onto this Phillip Ruddock. If ever you needed a reason for expanding Woomera or increasing the number of one way flights to Auckland this is it. This was a post-modernist perfect moment - like watching the virgin birth or Buddha's enlightenment on CNN. Like a beautiful sprite (as one English paper described her) Cathy loped a lap in 40 odd seconds and made herself into more than a legend - more like our first black saint. It wasn't the most memorable Olympic sports victory but with the suffocating weight of our expectations and in the context of our current bizarre race relations it was up there with Jesse Owens' as a monumental human achievement. Goodonya Cathy!
The Lucretia Borgia Popularity Award - Winner Michael Knight
If you were to believe the media, a man as sinister as Satan, more Machiavellian than Richo, as reviled as Hitler. But hey, the buck stopped with him for the organisation of the most successful Olympics ever and he did bring the freewheeling IOC warlords back into our stratosphere. What about that old Spanish Nazi Samaranch catching a bus from the airport? Or Kevan Gosper relentlessly made to munch on humble pie. Welcome to Australia poppies!! The Black Knight has a true talent for pushing the hate buttons. Witness the vicious editorial in the Herald -normally a paragon of bourgeois moderation and understatement -when Knight announced his resignation. Thanks for the memories Michael: the 'I'd like to thank my wife and my mum and my' speech at the closing ceremony, the hard man saying sorry, sorry, sorry.
The Peter Reith Award for Hypocrisy - Davis Cup team's crowd complaints
Men's tennis, like most individual sports, rarely gets the blood up. Wimbledon, the Aussie Open and the Davis Cup are exceptions. Full credit to the team for their magnificent Davis Cup record over the last two years, but what about the wankery spouted by Newcombe and Hewitt over the standard of the Barcelona crowds? The Tele magnified the duo's complaints in a front page that aped one of the London Sun's more memorable pieces of jingoism. Since when do we have a problem with passionate, partisan, raucous crowds at sporting events? Never, that's when. Congratulations to the Spaniards who made all that noise. It was a very Australian thing you did.
The Sold Soul Award - Carl Lewis
The Quixotic campaign to force Nike to improve labour standards and human rights in the company's Asian sweatshops was always going to be swamped by Nike's massive PR machine during the Olympics. But let's face it - every athlete and every sporting club sponsored by Nike must by now be aware that something is seriously wrong with the company's employment practices. We can't expect the Cathy Freemans and Tiger Woods to shoulder the burden for every injustice on the planet. But we can expect more of former USA Olympic champion and multiple Gold Medallist Carl Lewis, who acted as Nike's media hitman just prior to the Sydney Games. At the time an energetic no-budget Community Aid Abroad campaign was gaining a bit of coverage with it's call for Olympic sponsor Nike to live up to the Olympic ideal. Nike wheeled out the track-and-field legend on JJJ radio to tell Australia's youth that Nike workers were happy, free and well-paid.
Peter Moss is a Director of Lodestar Communications
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SITES OF THE YEAR
NSW Teachers Federation
Recently nominated for union site of the year by Labourstart, the NSW Teachers Federation website was definitely one of the most impressive union launched over the last twelve months.
The Federation has recognised the web as being an important tool in communicating with their membership and their site reflects that recognition. This site definitely sets the benchmark for all new union sites.
Carmen Lawrence Online
Federal ALP member for Fremantle Dr. Carmen Lawrence launched her own website earlier in 2000. The site was one of many sites launched by ALP pollies throughout the year, but this one was most definitely ahead of the rest of the pack.
Carmen's site differs from most MP's sites by being easy to navigate, attractive and containing enough information without swamping the public with meaningless words. Unfortunately Carmen's domain is ".com" which I believe to be bad branding.
Silly 2000
The team behind the Chaser got caught up in Olympic spirit this year and launched Silly 2000 to "Keep you sane during the Games". The site generated a lot of interest during the games especially their Medal Tally, which was adjusted to ensure that the USA wouldn't win. The site is still up so have a look.
Blatant Self Promotion
LaborNET was relaunched in February of 2000 and looking back over the year it has gone from strength to strength. LaborNET has consistently been the Number One Political site in Australia according to top100.com.au. The AskNeale section is continually being updated with new information, the Tool Shed continues to "out" closeted tools across the political spectrum. Needless to say Workers Online continues to grow with this issue being number 82, it even survived for several months when our editor Peter Lewis fled the country in self imposed exile to escape the Olympics and the talented Noel Hester took the Helm. Next year LaborNET will continue to expand with already a revamped Labor Council site in the pipeline.
NET EVENTS
ALP National Conference
The ALP National Conference held in Hobart in August 2000. This conference was heralded as the first paperless political conference in the world. All conference documents, motions, discussion papers etc were published on the web and transmitted to delegates via a conference intranet and available to ALP members not at the conference via conference web site.
Jennie George Retirement
When former ACTU President Jennie George retired in March 2000 she did it by signing off online in LaborNET's Virtual Trades Hall (VTH) Chatroom. The was the first major chat to take place in VTH and was very successful with may young women workers and union officials asking Jennie for advice and her ideas for the future of the union movement.
http://labor.net.au/virtualtradeshall/
New Year Surfing
Several new sites of interest have been launched recently well worth a look over the Christmas break:
Electrical Trades Union (NSW)
The ETU has had a recent revamp of their site. The new and improved site features lots of information for members, FAQ's, online membership applications and much more.... well worth checking out.
Bush-Cheney Transitional Site
The website of the George Bush's transitional administration.
http://www.bushcheneytransition.com/
National Union of Workers
The NUW Federal Office has recently launched a website.
NSW Young Labor
Young Labor has revamped their site.
If you have any sites you want Paul to review in the New Year or you want added to the LaborNET links section email him [email protected]
Honourable mentions to the man who will replace him as Workplace Relations Minister, the'Mad Monk' Tony Abbott, ABC boss Jonathon Shier and the Daily Telegraph's union-bashing duo of Akerman and Pemberthy, but in a year which was all about winning, Reithy blitzed the field.
It started with the failed attempt to bring in another wave of union-bashing laws, gathered steam as he sicked his Employment Advocate on the unions and kept up the momentum as he publicly implored bosses to shift workers onto individual contracts.
But the high point of the year was the Telecard affair, a story with more twists than the government's airport policy, as the mysterious Madame X exposed Reithy and his boy-child prodigee as tool-tinkering wanabees.
This soap opera with a cast of thousands, exotic locations across the globe and a beautiful heroine kept us enthralled for weeks. At the heart of the story was a particularly vile villain.
Even by the sordid standards of talkback radio Reith was a champion for bringing up the punters' bile. Over 1100 talk back callers in 10 days vented their spleen against the Minister for Odium. That's ten times the number that blasted Mal Colston after his fraud charges were dropped and three times the number Kevan Gosper could provoke after Sophie's torch run.
Keating once famously likened Reith to one of those children's dolls that bounce back upright when you knock them down. And that was before the Patrick fiasco, his descent into ministerial irrelevance and this humiliation by his offspring. It begs the question: what levels of impropriety or incompetence do you have to reach to get the flick from a Howard ministry? (It's not just Reith. What about the incomparably incompetent John Fahey, a man deserving of his own Channel 9 show - World's Worst Privatisations.)
It's hard to believe but a man who couldn't be trusted with a simple Telecard is now the custodian of our national security. Is the same global network ranging from St Kilda to Helsinki via the Asian backpackers circuit, that happy band of upper class teletalkers on our telecard, are they now to be privy to the latest movements of our Collins class submarines in the Timor Sea?
And with Federal Court action still pending over the Waterfront affair, life could get worse for Reith before it gets better. Reith's lies over Dubai will be harder to smudge and the MUA is a more formidable opponent than Ingrid Odgers.
At least with his new Defence Ministry he'll have real wars to fight, rather than the ideological battle that he's waged for the past five years against the union movement. As we wave him goodbye, we can only pay tribute to the man who put the tool into shed.
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