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News briefs

University of Melbourne manoeuvres on wages MELBOURNE — University of Melbourne management announced on June 9 that it would unilaterally grant a 2% pay increase to all staff as a "reward" for meeting previous revenue targets. The National

Solidarity from AMWU workers for East Timor and Indonesia

Solidarity from AMWU workers for East Timor and Indonesia By Sarah Lantz MELBOURNE — East Timorese independence activists Alex Tilman and Gil Santos from Fretilin and Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET) member Bronwyn

MUA officials withstand challenges

MUA officials withstand challenges By Dick Nichols The final results of the 1999 elections for the Maritime Union of Australia are now in. Both nationally and at branch level, the incumbent leadership has managed to withstand the challenge of

Double-speak: the reality of youth exploitation

Flexible: The high level of youth unemployment acts as a pressure on young people to accept extremely poor workplace conditions and low wages. This means young people are more easily forced to accept jobs which are largely casual positions with

Man jailed for theft of towel

By Robert Milne DARWIN — On May 12, an unemployed homeless man was sentenced to 12 months' jail for the theft of a baby towel valued at $15. Kevin Anthony Cook took the towel from the backyard of a house on April 15 to use for a blanket because

Victorian unions face jobs fight

By Chris Spindler More than 200 members of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union at Dorf Industries are on strike and staffing a 24-hour picket line. They are opposing the company's attempt to relocate to Sydney and their treatment. The

Behind the West's double standards on Iraq

By Graham Jenkin On February 18, a young substitute teacher from Columbus, Ohio, faced off with one of the most powerful people in the world. Dressed neatly in a white shirt and tie, Jon Strange was given the freak opportunity of putting a question

Environmental law 'reform': another Democrat sell-out

Environmental law 'reform': another Democrat sell-out By Jim Green After several weeks of secret negotiations, the Australian Democrats and the federal Coalition government have agreed on more than 500 amendments to the Environment Protection and

J18 rally attacks corporate tyranny

J18 rally attacks corporate tyranny By Erin Killion SYDNEY — On June 18, a global carnival against corporate tyranny was held. It began here with an "Anti-Business Lunch", a rally of about 350 people in Martin Place. Speakers came from a range

Fight to save Sydney bushland

Fight to save Sydney bushland By Lachlan Malloch SYDNEY — Residents and concerned environmentalists are vigorously protesting against the destruction of a large section of beautiful bushland in the Manly Dam catchment area in Sydney's northern

'Brucegate' scandal spurs demand for Carnell to go

'Brucegate' scandal spurs demand for Carnell to go By James Vassilopoulos CANBERRA — ACT Chief Minister Kate Carnell is embroiled in a major crisis which could result in her being sacked or her minority Liberal government being thrown out.

... and ain't I a woman?: Labor without a clue

... and ain't I a woman?: Labor without a clue Reading Martin Ferguson's preface to Labor Without Class: The Gentrification of the ALP by Michael Thompson, the latest offering to emerge from the "what is the true nature of the Labor Party"