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Interview: Muscling Up
Labor’s Craig Emerson discusses how the changes to his party’s leadership will impact on the industrial relations agenda.
Unions: Thinking Pink
What’s the difference between a Nursing Home and an Aged Care Facility? More than semantics, according to nurses worried Australia is woefully unprepared for the crash at the end of the baby-boom cycle, writes Jim Marr.
Bad Boss: Global Bully
If nothing else, US-based call centre giant TeleTech is consistent. After being nosed out of last year’s Bad Boss gong it is back, bigger and badder than ever in its search for Tony honours.
Unions: National Focus
In this national round up by Noel Hester, Hugh McKay tells us how the young are sticking together in a bewildered society, the gongs get handed out at the ACTU awards and there is a chance to win as a worthy wordsmith.
Economics: Friend or Flunkey?
On New Years Day as you look at the wine stains and tread on a soggy puddle on the carpet, will you look for the phone and call a cleaner? Gabrielle Meagher gives a few ethical dilemmas to confront before you make that call.
History: Young Blood
Youth is no barrier to political leadership, as the 37-year-old John Watson proved 100 years ago, writes Neale Towart.
Industrial: Living For Work?
Mark Hearn reports from a recent conference addressing the dilemma of work, citizenship and community.
International: Fighting Together
The international trade union movement is launching a Global Unions HIV/AIDS campaign to combat the spread of the virus.
Poetry: Medicare Plus Blues
Is the Government's new health plan a plus for Medicare? Asks resident bard David Peetz
Review: Human Racing
Seabiscuit is a great horse movie but more than that it serves as a powerful metaphor for the importance of living for the future while maintaining passion and compassion in the present, writes Tara de Boehmler.
The Soapbox
Dear John
In his 500th piece of activist journalism, long-term Workers Online contributor Rowan Cahill sends a personal message to our prime Minister.
The Locker Room
Retired Hurt
Every innings comes to an end, some too soon, and others not soon enough, writes Phil Doyle. Politics
Wedge Watch
Labor's Craig Emerson puts the spotlight on the Howard Government's politics of division. Parliament
The Westie Wing
Workers Friend Ian West MLC is back with his monthly round-up from Macquarie Street.
A New Mark for Labor
Few of us who care about the future of the labour movement would not admit to a surge of hope and sense of excitement following the election of Mark Latham to the federal parliamentary leadership.
 Peeking Dicks in Pickle
Lights Out on Cheap Labour
Blackout Hangs Over Sydney
Contractors Hang Up on Telstra
Uni Workers Too Smart For Minister
Employer Bullies Vie For ‘Tony’
South Coast Deal to Build Movement
TeleTech Safety Rep Vows to Fight On
Corporates Urged to Come Clean
MP Too Busy For Teachers
Bosses Block Good Shops Code
Engineers Ground Safety System
Workers Win At Safety Meet
Merger Threats
Activists Notebook
Feds Ignore Building Deaths
Bob Gould On Kicking The Liberals Out
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| other LaborNET sites |
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Labor Council of NSW
Vic Trades Hall Council
IT Workers Alliance
Bosswatch
Unions on LaborNET
Evatt Foundation
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Poetry
Medicare Plus Blues
Is the Government's new health plan a plus for Medicare? Asks resident bard David Peetz
*******
While the Government fiddler plays a two billion dollar tune to distract the voters while Medicare burns, the Government's latest proposals do nothing to protect the defining feature of Medicare - bulk billing - that the Government (and the Department of Finance and Administration) have done so much to undermine. Our resident bard, David Peetz, reflects:
MEDICARE PLUS BLUES
Congratulations! We've got an exciting
Exclusive offer to you -
A shiny brand new credit card!
You swap the old for new!
Throw out those unfashionable antiques,
Like bulk-billing - it won't be hard,
When you use our latest innovation:
Your new "MedicarePlus" card.
You'll be able to see a doctor
Much quicker than before -
There's no-one else in the waiting room,
Because they're all too poor.
They'll be lining up in the casualty wards,
Saving you unnecessary stress.
Say goodbye to awkward X-rays,
And embarrassing pathology tests.
Hurry up! This offer won't last long!
Forget about "buyer beware".
Take a step into the Future,
With "Health Minus Medicare"
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