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UNITED STATES: 'Fair trade' or international solidarity?

SAN FRANCISCO — The demonstrations in November-December in Seattle against the World Trade Organisation (WTO) have rightly inspired activists in the labour movement. Many have commented on the coming together of youth and students concerned about

Rebels in the unions: A unionism that won't buckle

BY MELANIE SJOBERG Manufacturing bosses, politicians of both Labor and Liberal stripes and right-wing media commentators are watching closely the current election inside the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), which ends on May 19. And

Shiftworkers to gain on penalty rates

Shiftworkers to gain on penalty rates BY BILL MASON BRISBANE — Up to 200,000 Queensland shiftworkers stand to gain a wage rise following a historic union claim for afternoon and night penalties to override an "outdated" flat rate. At the end of

Democratic Socialist Party's web site praised

Socialist web site praised The glossy Internet.au magazine took a stroll on the radical side in its June issue with a review of the web site of the Democratic Socialist Party. It said: "At some point in our lives we've all had a copy of the Green

BOUGAINVILLE: PNG frustrates independence referendum

BOUGAINVILLE: PNG frustrates independence referendum Statements by Sir Michael Somare, Papua New Guinea's minister for Bougainville affairs, have exposed the lack of sincerity behind the PNG government's apparent agreement to allow the people of

SOUTH AFRICA: Misdirected strategy weakens workers' movement

SOUTH AFRICA: Misdirected strategy weakens workers' movement JOHANNESBURG — The broad left (both in South Africa and internationally) has taken a cautious approach to critically analysing the program and activities of South Africa's largest and

Let off for minister over Yanner affair

Let off for minister over Yanner affair BY BILL MASON BRISBANE — Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said on May 8 that he was taking no further action against mines and energy minister Tony McGrady for a letter the minister forwarded to the judge

BRITAIN: Labour cracks down on asylum seekers

BRITAIN: Labour cracks down on asylum seekers LONDON — A plane hijacked by Afghan asylum seekers provided the pretext for a resurgence in overt racism against refugees, urged on by right-wing newspapers and Britain's Labour government. The social

Newcastle protests treatment of refugees

Newcastle protests treatment of refugees BY MELODY COUTMAN AND PETER ROBSON NEWCASTLE — As the refugees, some fleeing political oppression, others fleeing poverty, left the ferry in hope of finding a new life they were met by grim grey-suited

Rollercoaster@stockmarket.com

Rollercoaster@stockmarket.com BY EVA CHENG After skyrocketing some 260% in 17 months from 1400 points to the March 10 peak of 5048, Nasdaq — the United States index which measures the prices of key hi-tech stocks — suffered a series

SOUTH AFRICA: Millions strike over job losses

SOUTH AFRICA: Millions strike over job losses Close to 4 million workers in South Africa joined a national strike against job losses on May 10, according to the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). Around 400,000 strikers marched

Child-care expansion not an option

Child-care expansion not an option BY MARGARET ALLUM "Some have wrongly attempted to stereotype my government as possessing what is described as an old-fashioned attitude to women. Not only is that wrong, but I think it is in part born of a