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Which bank rips off workers?

BY ZANNY BEGG The Finance Sector Union has beaten back an attempt by the Commonwealth Bank to coerce its workers onto individual contracts, for now at least, but the dispute remains bitter. The two parties have set a deadline of October 31 to

Life of Riley: Thwack!

Thwack! 'ello. 'ello. 'ello. What's this then? Been up to something I bet. Oh don't go actin' the little angle with me my lad. I know a villain when I see one. Come on. Come on. Show me your hands. Just as I thought. I wonder how that stone got

Reith offers 'help' to workers

BY MELANIE SJOBERG Seemingly desperate to deflect scrutiny of his telecard escapades, workplace relations minister Peter Reith has launched yet another discussion paper proposing amendments to the Workplace Relations Act. The changes would place

SOUTH KOREA: What went wrong with O20?

SEOUL — The protests against the Asia-Europe parliamentary meetings (ASEM) on October 20 (O20) in Seoul were very lively, youthful and colourful (see GLW #425). However, they also reflected the most pressing problems facing the South Korean left

Ringing success for call centre workers

BY KATRINA BARBEN BRISBANE — Industrial action by workers at the Australian Communications Exchange has led to a significant breakthrough in negotiations, management agreeing in advance to implement a Queensland Industrial Relations Commission

The politicians' gravy train

Travel allowances: between $145 and $425 can be claimed for overnight stays while parliament sits or while on electorate business. Can be claimed for attending party meetings. Telephone: free telecard; free use of two mobile phones; free home and

A compelling look at an enigmatic country

Indonesia: An Eyewitness AccountBy Michael MaherViking, Penguin Books274pp. $30 REVIEW BY PIP HINMAN "Suharto had promised to build foundations that would secure Indonesia's future. Instead, he bequeathed his people a house of cards". This is

Prague 2000: Boris Kagarlitsky's diary of the people's movement

Part two of a three-part eyewitness report on the protests against the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meeting in Prague in September by Russian socialist BORIS KAGARLITSKY. Part one was published in the previous issue of Green Left

INDONESIA: Communities fight oil giants

Protesting community members in East Kalimantan were violently attacked by the Indonesian Mobile Police Brigade (BRIMOB) on October 8. Seven protesters were shot, several were seriously wounded, and two were declared missing. The violence ended a

Watching the media at the Paralympics

BY NADYA STANI SYDNEY — Gwen and Joan have spent the day at the Paralympics being inspired by the athletes. "They're just terrific", said Joan. Mitchell, who brought his son with him from Orange in western NSW, said he takes the Paralympics

'Reclaim the Night'

Women rallied across Australia on October 27 to "Reclaim the Night" and protest against violence against women. In Sydney, Lauren Carroll Harris reports, 1000 women and children assembled in Hyde Park for the rally, which was kicked off with a