
Issue No 84		16 February 2001

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

News

Della Ends Discrimination on Leave Entitlements

People who start work under the age of 18 will have the same access to long service leave entitlements as older workers after the Car Government announced it would close a loop-hole in the laws.

The move will end age discrimination under the Long Service Leave Act under which Long Service Leave only starts accruing for 'adult' workers. After five years employing the leave can be paid out of a pro rata basis when the worker leaves his or her job.

Currently a worker who starts a job at age 15 and leaves at age 20, can only access pro rata leave for two years. A worker starting at age 20 and leaving at age 25 would receive a full five years pro rata.

A second loop-hole will improve the plight of the growing number of part-time workers. Under the current leave laws, annual leave for part-timers is calculated on the hours they work immediately preceding the holiday.

This has allowed some employers to deliberately cut back the hours offered to a part time worker immediately before they take leave to minimising the leave payments. Under the changes, the average hours worked during a year would be quantified in order to calculate the leave.

Both changes were announced by NSW Industrial Relations Minister John Della Bosca at the Labor Council's organising seminar this week. He says the government will fast track the changes when Parliament commences next.

Labor Council secretary Michael Costa says the changes, while technical, are essential in ensuring young workers are not discriminated against.

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Issue 84 contents

Interview: Life After Wartime
After ten years representing the interests of the labour movement in Parliament, Jeff Shaw is back at the bar. And loving it.

Legal: Why the Freeloaders Should Pay
Michael Costa explains why service fees are not only fair - they are economically rational.

Organising: Young Activists Bask in Union Summer
Sydney students have spent three weeks of their summer holidays experiencing on-the-ground work with unions.

Unions: Things Are Looking Up On The Dock
After six years as a call centre worker, Marios Ellas has joined the union movement. Here's his first impressions.

History: Trades Hall � The Royal Connection
Republic, who needs it when we have the Trades Hall decreed by Royal Imprimatur? So tug your forelock as work commences to restore the building.

International: Greetings from Hong Kong
Chan Wai-Keung from the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions outlined the challenges facing Hong Kong workers.

Politics: One Nation - The Old Labor Link
The resurgence in One Nation in the WA election has the pundits again reaching for the tea-leaves. But are they pouring from the wrong pot?

Review: Elect the Ambassador
Labor frontbencher Duncan Kerr unveils his vision for a new international democracy.

Satire: Man Buys Big Issue for the Articles
A Melbourne businessman claims his recent purchase of the "Big Issue" was due to his interest in the magazine's editorial content.

» Young Workers: The Wage Gypsies

» Union Members Tell Scabs: Sing for Your Supper

» Genetic Advances Spark New Privacy Issues

» Wentworth Twenty Emerge Victorious

» Racing Radio Makes Way for Workers� Voice

» Another Major Centre Takes Union Call

» Transport Passes Key Issue for Young Workers

» Shier Calls the Cops! - Fear and Loathing at the ABC

» BHP Contracts Battle Goes Back to the Coalface

» Newcastle Mill to be Union Project

» Government Must Lead on Casual Leave

» Della Ends Discrimination on Leave Entitlements

» Rural Safety Campaign Pays Off

» Mom Always Said � Don�t Break a Picket