
Issue No 97		25 May 2001

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News

Statewide Strike Off But Della on Notice

Workers across the state have put the Carr Government on notice that they are ready to re-ignite industrial action, despite reaching agreement on a process for workers compensation reform this week.

Police officers this week voted to authorise their union to place bans on revenue collection if necessary, as contentious aspects of the package were referred to an inquiry ot be chaired by former ALP Attorney-General Terry Sheahan.

Power workers across the state have also held mass meetings to authorize bans on overtime to be called by the leadership of the Electrical Trades Unions.

But a planned statewide Day of Action, which would have disrupted the handing down of the State Budget has been put on hold.

"We have decided to keep our powder dry," secretary-elect John Robertson said, after the workers compensation campaign committee met to consider the deal struck between the Labor Council and Industrial relations Minister John Della Bosca.

Council's Resolution Adopted

Earlier, Della Bosca made significant progress towards quelling trade union concerns with his package by fully accepting a resolution passed by the Labor Councile xecutive last week/.

Under the deal:

- the government will proceed with amendments to the statutory scheme - but has agreed to accept a right of appeal from the decisions of medical panels.

- the government will convene a panel of medical experts to develop assessment guidelines, with a commi5tment that injured workers will not be left worse off.

- the vexed issue of common law will be referred to an inquiry, to be chaired by Justice Sheahen and include representatives of trade unions and employer groups.

- the outstanding issues of workplace safety and employer compliance will now be included in the reform package.

The Labor Council has engaged Jeff Shaw, QC, to ensure that any amendments put before the Parliament, reflect the substance of the deal accepted this week.

Labor Council secretary Michael Costa has stressed the issue is not closed, but says unions should work through the agreed process over the coming months.:

But he's warned is the government moves away from the agreement, he will have no hesitation in reconstituting the campaign committee to insure injured workers are protected.

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Issue 97 contents

Interview: The Big Bribe
ACTU president Sharan Burrow emerges from the Federal Budget lock-up to ask where is the Howard Government�s vision for the future?

Compo: Where To Now?
As the dust settles in the WorkCover war, we look at what's been achieved and what still needs to be resolved.

Unions: The Real Big Brother
Have you ever got the feeling someone is watching you? If you work in one of the 4000 Call Centres in Australia then you�re probably right.

International: The Not-So Shakey Isles
NZ Council of Trade Union secretary Paul Goulter looks at life for the workers under a Labour Government.

Corporate: BHP: The Bit Australian
The BHP Billiton merger was an act of corporate tyranny. And, as Zoe Reynolds report, humanity does not figure on a corporate balance sheet.

History: A Proud Tradition of Mediocrity
Budgets always generate hype and a media circus, especially in the lead up to elections. This one is no exception and the Coalition consistency in panic and lack of ideas is reassuring in its lack of ideas.

Review: Ideologically Sound
Mark Hebblewhite trawls through the CD rack to dispel the notion that there's no politics left in pop.

Satire: HIH Recovers Own Losses
The collapsed insurance company HIH has lodged a claim with another insurer to be reimbursed for its $4 billion loss.

» Spotlight on HIH�s WorkCover Link

» Construction Industry Faces Safety Crisis

» Statewide Strike Off But Della on Notice

» David and Goliath Battle at IBM

» Natasha�s Democrats Face Senate IR Test

» Howard Abandons Working Families

» City Councils Recognise Birth � Now for the Bush

» BHP Forced to Back Off Kembla AWAs

» Impulse Bores Workers Into Submission

» Coach Drivers Win Permanency

» Boss Pockets Compo Payment

» Union Wins Battle in AWA War

» Publicans Want to Reduce Bar Pay

» Abbott Agrees to Ban Asbestos

» Union Acts to Save Leichhardt Refuge

» Trade Union Choir Turns Ten

» Activists' Notebook

» The Soapbox

» The Locker Room

» Trades Hall

» Tool Shed

» Thanks from Indonesia

» Hester Spot On

» Fuelling Voter Anger

» May Day - The Debate Continues

» Not a Chaser Fan

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