Steve Knott of AMMA talking about Abbott's plans to "reform" welfare

It's unclear to us how withholding benefits will facilitate people picking up skills necessary to become job-ready for our industry.

You hit the nail on the head Steve. Now, stop your moaning about having to deal with those pesky unions - you know, the organisations employees have a human right to join and participate in - and we'll be some way to being on the same planet.

chatting with Paul Howes

Well it's been interesting tweeting back and forth with Mr Howes today. I'd encourage some AWU members to get in touch via twitter, as they seem so inept at the usual channels. Maybe you could ask him how you as a member can run for National Secretary...pretty sure they don't directly elect their national leadership - now that's a democratic union huh?

(Paul, correct me if I am wrong - I tried checking out your rules but the FWA website organisations' section is not working)

Thought I'd share this video I uploaded...brings back memories!

2010: A year in (a condensed) review

I must admit I haven't blogged as much as I would have liked. A combination of apathy and being kept amused by other projects (including work) seem to have dissuaded me from the semi-regular blogging I once did.

In terms of worker rights in Australia, 2010 hasn't seen much of a change. Sure, we did see Ark Tribe acquitted of the heinous crime of exercising his right to silence. This was a welcome relief but sadly the insidious institution that is the Australian Building and Construction Commission remains. We also saw the former IR Minister Julia Gillard become Prime Minister.

However, all in all, it appears that the Fair Work Act 2009 is settling in to become an all right piece of legislation, by and large. Sure, there is room for improvement and my comrades and I will continue to press for a more worker friendly agenda. But no one in the labour movement can deny, realistically, that we haven't got something a darn sight better than the piece of shit that was WorkChoices. Workers now have a democratic right to push for enterprise bargaining. A range of topics that were previously 'unlawful' are now legal in enterprise agreements. Bosses don't have all the power any more.

Sure, we have seen some bleating from the mining sector, despite the fact it continues to make billions of dollars. I am always amused at how the Australian Mines and Metals Association (AMMA) is still the biggest cry baby about the new laws. Most employers, arguably affected far more by the changes, have gotten on with it. Yet the AMMA continues harping on about how the laws are so bad, despite the continuing growth in the mining sector.

The reality is that some members of the AMMA now actually have to deal with workers representatives, the unions. They don't like this. That's fine - I don't expect anything less from their ilk. But it'd be a refreshing change if they stopped the bullshit and stopped playing the victim. It's pathetic (and sad that so many people buy into their shit e.g. the mining tax protests earlier this year).

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

TULIP - front for the AWU?

In a pretty pathetic attempt to show that the ACTU is "pro-Israel" the AWU, through its front organisation TULIP has issued a statement about how the new ACTU Assistant Secretary is "pro-Israel".

What the heck is a "pro-Israel" activist? One who supports their actions no matter what? We're talking about a racist state here; the new-apartheid. One side lives in luxury, protected by the army, including stolen lands in the West Bank. The other lives in abject poverty, with high unemployment.

Let's hope that this new Assistant Secretary does not attack the work the of the union movement's charitable arm, Union Aid Abroad APHEDA and their work in Palestine. I wonder if the Zionist stooges in the AWU ever wonder why Palestinians need aid for basic medical supplies and their neighbours in Israel live in 1st world conditions? Probably not.

As an aside you have to love TULIP's statements on boycotts. Hilarious.

Read below (my comments in italics):

WHY NOT BOYCOTT?

1. Because boycotts are counter-productive and strengthen rejectionists and extremists on both sides.

Counter productive, really? Stuff taking an ethical stance on international relations.And if they're so counter-productive then I presume they were a complete failure with dealing with South Africa...oh wait, they weren't.

2. Because boycotts are a blunt instrument and a form of collective punishment.

Yes, they are. That's the point. It'll hopefully get people to pull their finger out.

3. Because the analogy to South Africa is completely false - Israel is not an apartheid state.

If you're Jewish and living in Israel then it's no problem. If you're not Jewish then it can be and certainly is for Palestinians. Replace the words "Jewish" with "white" and "Israel" with "South Africa". Starting to follow yet? If not, then look up the 'Law of Return'.

4. Because what's needed is practical support for efforts to build bridges between Israeli and Palestinian workers and their unions.

I agree. I just don't think you really believe in that. This Crikey article does a very good job explaining why I believe this.

Article about Paul Howes

I cannot stand Paul Howes and make no secret of this. This The Sydney Morning Herald article gave me a chuckle with this paragraph:

Mr Howes, who is just 29, appeared on TV on the night of the coup to say his union was backing Ms Gillard. That move, and his views on issues such as nuclear power (he's a strong advocate), have attracted critics from within the movement with claims he is a ''media tart'' and narcissistic.

So true.

one month on

Well you'd think by the fact that it's taken me a month to write anything that the Federal Election was a disappointment. That's not entirely the case as the electoral success of the Greens around the country was a highlight, considering the appalling performance of the Australian Labor Party.

It also appears that despite a large swing against the ALP that Tony Abbott didn't get a huge swing to the Liberal/National coalition either. That's a relief. On a two-party basis the ALP got more votes (just).

The Greens have a good industrial relations policy. In particular, their promise to get rid of the ABCC is the reason why so many unions have gone cold on the ALP. The ETU in Victoria even donated money to the Greens campaign and helped to get Adam Bandt elected to the seat of Melbourne against another former trade union official in Cath Bowtell formerly of the ACTU.