Chris White Online

The DPMs ’spin’ that WorkChoices is dead is today overplayed, as is the beginning of the FairWork Act. See my posts. Below is the ACTU Congress decision about what still has to be achieved.
‘Congress notes the provisions of the Fair WorkAct which do not comply with the ACTU’s expectations for fair industrial laws. [...]

Lessons from the Humbling of General Motors by Sam Gindin Of all 20th century industries, it was the auto sector that best captured the sway of capitalism and the rise of American dominance. Theassembly line showed off capitalism’s remarkable productive potential and the automobile flaunted capitalism’s consumerist possibilities.
At mid-century, with Europe and Japan emerging [...]

Unions accuse Turnbull of hypocrisy
Dave Noonan – National Secretary CFMEU
Construction unions have slammed a decision by Malcolm Turnbull to block moves aimed at restraining abuse of the coercive powers of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) today.
Earlier today the Coalition voted to disallow a Ministerial direction to give construction workers some basic protections [...]

Here in Canberra parliamentary cretinism on ute-gate is out of this world. Rather than some political discourse on strategies to protect working families during a worsening world recession and an environmental crisis, MPs are consumed with Turnbull’s mis-guided focus on such a trivial issue as the ute and backfire.
As a political junkie, I [...]

Australia’s ‘Construction Stasi’ by Humphrey McQueen
Dare Australia’s Labor government gaol Adelaide builders’ labourer, Ark Tribe? Tribe’s crime is that he refuses to attend a secret
hearing of the Australian Building and Construction Commission
(ABCC). His failure to appear renders him liable to six months in prison or a fine of $22,000. Similar penalties apply if he turns [...]

In line with the recognition of the labour rights, we request that June 26 Action Day – Justice for Iranian workers – to include the human rights of all Iranians who have been deprived of their rights.
In recent days, we continue witnessing the magnificent demonstration of
millions of people from all ages, genders, and national and [...]

It is a worthwhile exercise to assess some aspects of the recent ACTU Congress to aid future activities for trade unions. By Brian Boyd, VTHC Secretary
The ACTU officers said at the beginning of the Congress that its deliberations should focus on the need for more IR legislative reforms, a renewed Growth and Campaigns strategy, how [...]

The theme of ACTU Congress 2009 was Unions: Delivering for all working Australians – where job security, rights at work, and a vision for a more prosperous and equal Australia were at the top of the agenda. The content below highlights the policies and resolutions which paves the way for the union movement for [...]

Secure, affordable housing is a basic human right. From Search. Under capitalism housing, or more specifically land, is also a major focus of speculation. There are three key drivers of this speculation: individuals (rather than institutions) speculating in housing; larger scale land speculation; and financial deregulation which drove house price inflation by making it easier [...]