News Briefs

May 7, 2003
Issue 

Qld electricians win 25% pay rise

BRISBANE — After months of negotiations and substantial industrial action, on April 29 contract electricians won a 25% pay rise as part of a new industry standard in south-east Queensland.

More than 30 electrical contractors in the commercial construction sector have reached agreement with the Electrical Trades Union, which includes a $22.50-per-hour wage rate (in the first year) and a 36-hour work week.

Talks are continuing for new agreements in central and northern parts of the state.

Charges dropped against peace protesters

SYDNEY — Charges bought against Dean Jeffreys and Marlene Obeid for hanging three anti-war banners from the Sydney Opera House were dropped on May 1 when magistrate Lillian Haller told the police prosecutor that there was no prima facie case against the two peace protesters.

Jeffreys and Obeid were charged on January 31 with "affixing a placard to a public building".

Cleaners question support for ALP

CANBERRA — On April 30, the ACT branch of the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union (LHMU) announced its intention to review its relationship with the ALP if the ACT Labor government doesn't improve conditions for cleaning workers.

It follows a similar decision by the LHMU in Western Australia after the WA Labor government awarded contracts for cleaning state schools to companies deemed unlikely rates of pay.

The LHMU has called on the ACT government to only award cleaning contracts to companies which will pay award rates of pay and abide by their occupational health and safety obligations.

Delegates' convention discusses working hours

HOBART — For the second year, Unions Tasmania has organised a successful cross-union delegates' convention. Under the banner, "Unions — for fair workplaces and a just society", 290 delegates from at least 15 unions gathered on May 1.

A focus of the convention was the drive by bosses to increase the intensity of work. Speakers often mentioned things that need to be done (such as reversing casualisation, increasing low pay to tackle "overtime dependence" and defending Medicare and the "social wage"), although there was less talk about what will be required to win them.

A victory by nurses was cheered by delegates. Funds were also collected for the Blue Ribbon meatworkers, who are involved in an industrial dispute.

May Day concluded with a night of working-class songs at the Republic Bar.

Cloud of suspicion remains after ASIO raids

9point non = Six months after ASIO agents conducted raids on the homes of six Indonesian families, there have been no charges laid and in early April, ASIO returned computer disks, documents, mobile phones and videos seized in the raids. However, neither the government nor ASIO has made any apology to the victims of the ASIO raids.

Jaya Basri and his family moved back to Indonesia. Another family moved house because they didn't feel safe from potential vigilantes.

Since the Bali bombings last October, Australian authorities have stepped up their attempts to intimidate Indonesian immigrants. In addition to regular ASIO surveillance, 225 Indonesian immigrants have been taken to the Villawood detention centre for having allegedly breached visa conditions or being in Australia illegally.

From Green Left Weekly, May 7, 2003.
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