SPSF
In a typically ALP style F. Timmerman (Write on, September 15) has tried to pick at the "SPSF capitulates to Kennett" article (GLW, August 18).
On individual contracts, Timmerman mentions the resolutions of the committee of management but forgets to mention that these resolutions have yet to be realised. Within the first month of taking up her position, Ms Batt released a bulletin to all members stating that the SPSF was not able to do anything for members who were "temporary staff". Of these there are several thousand. As a result temporary staff have rapidly been made to sign individual agreements.
In addition, new employees have all been forced to sign individual agreements. Members who transfer between departments are also in the same predicament, with minimal assistance from the leadership.
The new leadership has little to offer the members, and nearly 6000 members had not renewed their membership in July.
In contrast under the McVey-Deller leadership, the membership that fell to 2000 in December 1992 (following Kennett's axing of union subscriptions from payroll deduction) rose to nearly 20,000 in six months.
The issue of who assisted who in the union elections should be an embarrassment to Timmerman. In almost all union elections, "other unions" and/or political parties have always had some degree of participation. Does it matter which arm of the ALP assisted Ms Batt's team? The fact remains such assistance occurred, and even Timmerman cannot deny that.
In relation to salaries Timmerman cannot deny that Ms Batt took a wage rise because:
1) Ms Batt is the elected official in charge of the union on a day-to-day basis, which can only be compared to McVey, who held the comparable position. The previous secretary was appointed and therefore cannot be compared.
2) When the salaries are considered several factors are taken into account. One of them is the income of the union. The first item on the first committee of management meeting was the salaries of the newly elected officials. This was held in July when the union had lost 50% of its members. Ms Batt did not see fit to set her salary accordingly.
Why did the "left" ALP team challenge an already existing left leadership? Inside sources know that the only reason is because Ms Batt was denied standing for the position of secretary for the Members Action Team. It had nothing to do with the well-being of members of the union or principled left politics.
Lalitha Chelliah
Melbourne[Edited for length.]
Liberation and health
I am a grandmother of four. I was born ill. I always had aches in my back, feet, hips and problems with my bladder and gall bladder.
At a bookstore I found a book about Animal Liberation written by Peter Singer (Melbourne).
After reading this book, I attempted to live without meat, milk, fish and eggs. I now enjoy a life eating only raw fruit and vegetables. I also exercise a lot. I swim, ride my bicycle and attend body building.
I have no more aches, walk without pain, sleep very well and I am happy. Animal Liberation has made me into a healthy, happy woman.
Edeltraut Schacke
Bossley Park NSW
Human rights
The Prime Minister Mr Keating's suggestion that the United States should take a more balanced view of human rights in Asia is ironic.
Mr Keating should be the last person in the world to give advice about human rights, while his government manufactures and supplies arms and ammunition to the Papuan Government to put down people fighting for their independence and freedom in Bougainville.
Because of what he is doing, Mr Keating is denying the Bougainville people human rights and self-government in their country in the same way he denies the Aboriginal people land rights in Australia.
This hypocrite needs to stop going around the world chirping about human rights to anyone until he can see eye to eye with the human rights of others.
W.G. Fox
Brisbane
Anti-Court demo
Even a brief glance at the mainstream press concerning the Western Australian anti-Court protest on August 19th would have given one more insight into the reality of that protest than Green Left Weekly did.
Why was there no mention that at this rally as at the last anti-Court one demonstrators ignored Union calls to go home and instead chose to try and break through police lines to get at the source of their misery (politicians) and do more than just chop up an effigy of them? Why was there no mention of the fact police have had to install metal barricades to prevent this and any future demonstration charging Parliament? Why was there no mention of the widespread dissatisfaction with Union tactics and their empty rhetoric of "fighting back"?
The fact may be that as much as short sighted sections of the left want to pretend that the same old tactics of futile protest and follow the leader will work or maybe even lead to "revolution", in reality many ordinary people are finally seeing through all the bullshit and losing faith in centralised Union bureaucracies and party politicians of all stripes. Whilst this is certainly no bad thing one hopes people do not lose faith in organising altogether, but instead as on the 19th take action into their own hands and this is the type of community based politics we should be fostering.
Iain McIntyre
Melbourne
Fluoride toothpaste
The recent public announcement by the NSW Health Department that children were in danger of being "overdosed" by fluoride, although long overdue, has alerted parents across the state to treat fluoride with great caution. The 1991 study by the National Health and Medical Research Council in its recommendations warned of this same problem. It must be a long way from Canberra to Sydney as it took the NSW Health Department two years to even mention this warning.
The use of low fluoride in toothpastes and none at all for those under two was recommended by a very shamefaced Health Department official, Dr Weidenhoffer, who has been advocating its safety and benefits for many years. I personally believe that there is no safe level of fluoride as it is an accumulative toxin. I always buy non-fluoride toothpaste for my family.
Recently at our local supermarket, I noticed what I thought to be a new brand of herbal, fluoride-free toothpaste. It was sitting next to my usual brand, almost identical in colouring, wording and packaging. I picked it up and was about to buy it but while at the check-out I started to read the very fine print. Low and behold, it had exactly the same levels of fluoride as the ordinary fluoride toothpastes which are very prominently marked.
I find this very dangerous. Those allergic to fluorides can suffer badly if they accidentally use this poison. Also, mothers trying to eliminate fluorides from their children's toothpastes could be easily deceived. This particular type of toothpaste has only recently appeared on the shelves since the Health Department warning and I have to wonder if it is an attempt to try to tap the market of those concerned by the warnings. If a product contains fluoride, it needs to be very prominently marked for safety.
The point of my letter is to warn consumers who want fluoride-free toothpaste. Make sure the packet actually states "fluoride-free".
Therese Mackay
Port Macquarie NSW
[Edited for length.]
Somalia
It is misleading of the various media to describe armed Somalis as "rebels" as it disguises the fact that these people are not rebels but patriots, engaged in a war of resistance against an invading army.
That invasion has two purposes, namely to strengthen the United States control over the entrances to the Persian Gulf and the Suez Canal and also to protect Western oil interests in Sudan and northern Somalia.
Those so vociferous about human rights in Tibet should have something to say about the slaughter of the citizens of Mogadishu being perpetrated by the United Nations forces.
C.M. Friel
Alawa NT