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 [...]
Turnbull
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 [...]
Ute
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 know [...]
Construction Stasi
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 [...]
June 26 union solidarity with Iranian workers
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 [...]
ACTU Congress: Boyd
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, [...]
ACTU Congress reports
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 the [...]
Housing
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 [...]
Failure of free trade
The current global trading system is dominated by transnational corporations which are overwhelmingly based in industrialised countries, mainly the US, Europe and Japan, although a few have emerged from newly industrialising countries. They have developed global production and distribution chains in both goods and services. Seventy per cent of global trade is between industrialised countries, [...]
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