Andrews Shafts Employee Safety

Kevin Andrews has moved to deny Federal Government employees representation on safety issues.

The Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Bill, which is set to be passed by the Coalition-controlled Senate, allows the employer to control the election of safety representatives.

Currently all employees elect their health and safety representatives in a union-run ballot.

ACTU President Sharan Burrow says the new legislation flew in the face of research which showed union involvement led to safer workplaces.

"Surveys have shown that unionised workplaces are three times as likely to have a health and safety committee, and twice as likely to have undertaken a health and safety audit in the last 12 months," she said.

Under the current act, the Commonwealth has a better safety record compared to all states and territories.

The Commonwealth OHS law has seen almost 30 per cent fewer injuries that result in a week or more compensation compared to NSW, according to a Workplace Relations & Management Consultants survey.

Burrow says there was no need to change the system. "The motivation for these changes is clearly ideological."

New Laws Mean More Deaths: Widow

The widow of a man killed while working on the Cross City Tunnel has warned new construction industry laws will lead to more deaths.

Marlene Shores, whose husband Ronnie was killed by a falling boulder last year, says the laws will intimidate workers from speaking up about safety.

"My husband died when shortcuts were taken in the rush to complete the job, and no one was brave enough to speak out," Shores said.

"But these laws will make matters worse. This new law will be used to fine workers $22,000 for having a meeting about safety, refusing to work in unsafe areas, or stopping to morn a killed mate."

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Non Unionist's Psalm

The dues-paying members are my shepherd; I shall not pay.
They provideth me with sick days and holidays
So that I may lie down in green pastures.
Beside the still waters
They reclaimeth my back pay
They guardeth my welfare,
without cost to me
I stray in the path of the
non-righteous for my money's sake
Yeah though I alibi and pay no dues
For generation to generation,
I fear no evil, for they protect.
The working conditions which they provide
Do comfort me.
They anointeth my head with oil of Worker's Comp,
Sick pay, Annual leave, Long Service Leave
Flextime and the thirty six and three quarter hour week.
And my cup runneth over with gratitude.
Surely their goodness and loving kindness
Shall follow me all the days of my life,
Without cost to me
I shall dwell in their house forever
And allow them to pay the bills.

Union official Len Cooper was clearing out his office and came across this previously unpublished psalm

Unions launch IR radio

A breakfast radio program, run by various trade unions and backed by Unions New South Wales, was launched this morning on FM 88.9 and will run from 5.30am until 9am on weekdays.

Workers Radio Sydney announcer Craig Bulley said the program would inform workers about what the planned industrial relations changes meant for them.

On Friday, the ACTU and Federal Labor lost a High Court quest for an interim injunction to have the Government's $20-million advertising campaign promoting IR reform taken off air.

The case will now go before the High Court's full bench, after Justice Dyson Heydon granted an order for an expeditious hearing.

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The Last Weekend

Come and enjoy your right to spend time with your family before John Howard takes it away - with our free family day out...

11am - 2:30pm Sunday August 7th 2005
The Overflow
Sydney Olympic Park

Featuring

* The Hooley Dooleys
* Tim Freedman
* Kid Confucius
* Free rides and face painting for the kids; and
* Much much more

ALL DAY PARKING available - $3 per hour, up to maximum $15 per day. To guarantee a spot, pre-book by phoning Ticketek 132849 ($15 plus booking fee)

FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT to and from the event - on CityRail services and Sydney Olympic Park Major Event Buses.

For more transport info, go to www.131500.com.au or call TRANSPORT INFOLINE 131500.

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