Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

The dead couple of labour relations: who or what will follow them?

By Peter Lewis - posted Monday, 16 June 2003


The agenda for the ACTU Congress, which Greg Combet unveiled this week, seeks to address labour market fragmentation. It is an important circuit-breaker and places the union movement at the centre of this shift to rethink work and start again.

Indeed, many unions are already addressing the issue - through industrial agreements that recognise the rights of long-term casuals and contractors; and in test cases to defend secure employment.

But the real void is at a political level. While the Howard government may be able to sail into office by defending our borders through the symbolic issue of boat people; it still shares a bed with TINA.

Advertisement

Last election Howard tapped the sentiment of Australian workers for his own purposes; but his free-market economic ideology will never address the underlying issues.

That will take more than just tinkering around the edges and will require serious political will; from the graveyard of workplace models we need to build a vision of work that strengthens communities rather than divides them.

But if any political party could articulate this vision into a coherent workforce policy, it wouldn't matter who was leading them; they'd be a shoe-in to win the next election.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Peter Lewis is the director of Essential Media Communications, a company that runs strategic campaigns for unions, environmental groups and other “progressive” organisations.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Peter Lewis
Related Links
ACIRRT, University of Sydney
The Future of Work report
Workers Online
Photo of Peter Lewis
Article Tools
Comment Comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy