workSite Archives Working Life | Insights & Issues | Labour Debates | workSite Interviews | Labour & Business History | Reviews Working Life Diane van den Broek examines the consequences of work surveillance in call centres Having just visited the United States, Troy Sarina argues that the ramifications of pursuing an individual system of regulating work were clearly visible. Since November 1999, the Pilbara has been the site of intense efforts by companies to keep unions at bay in the iron ore industry. Bradon Ellem tells the story of how unions have tried to resist this assault. AMWU National Secretary Doug Cameron analyses the local impact of globalization on Australian unions and workplace relations, and the outlook for unions under the re-elected Howard Government. Should the conditions of work recognize our ability to participate in community and family life, in political parties, unions or other voluntary organizations? Mark Hearn looks at what we can expect from work. The Transport Workers Union has launched a major test case in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission to provide a 100% guarantee of the entitlements of all transport workers in New South Wales. Marion Baird reports on some of her recent experiences and observations in the USA - the wealthiest of the first world countries, home of democracy and land of the brave and free, might help you to imagine. Surveillance, Privacy and Work Intensification within Call Centres Armaguard's Soft Skin Security Cabbies Fight For Wage Justice family v work: @ work in the e-century Outsourcing Labour: who do you work for? Job Hunting: a game or a gamble Tell me a joke: winning a job at Planet Hollywoo Russell Lansbury reports on the new millenium work ethic Fair Wear's campaign for clothing industry homeworker Three degrees of contract: the need to understand the employment relationshi "We're solid": Union fightback in the Pilbara Marian Baird believes that innovative policy and genueine leadership are required for Australia to deal with the current fundamental social shifts Conference Report: The Brave New World of Work The plight of young people in poverty is now so serious that urgent national action is needed which goes well beyond extra funding, according to one of Australia's leading welfare organisations. Issues & Insights The 2005 Trade Union Congress in Britain called for a stronger collective commitment to organising, with specific emphasis on raising the profile of unions in the private sector. The latest edition of Labour Law provides a thorough overview of Australia’s industrial system as well as examining a number of contemporary issues relating to the world of work. Mark Hearn and Russell Lansbury argue that employees should have a right to equitable conditions of work and meaningful opportunities to participate in civic life. As Labor hints that it is about to reverse its long-standing resistance to individual work contracts, federal Labor MP Lindsay Tanner rejects calls for the ALP to follow the Howard Government’s pro-business embrace of labour market deregulation. Associate Professor Gordon Lafer argues that both the foreign and domestic policy pursued by the Bush administration under the rubric of the war on terror are in fact best understood as strategies for advancing the neoliberal agenda. Leading US Human Resource Management expert Professor Tom Kochan argues that to meet contemporary and future workplace challenges, HRM professionals will need to redefine their role and professional identity to advocate and support a better balance between employer and employee interests at work. Leanne Cutcher argues that Lindsay Tanner's model of community banking is just another form of "user pays". Corporate citizenship means understanding and managing a company’s influence on society and all its stakeholders. It has been receiving widespread support from business, government, community groups and the popular press over the last few years. Dr Gianni Zappalà examines whether we are witnessing the start of a backlash against notions of corporate social responsibility. Repairing 'A Divided Nation'. An interview with Labor Leader Simon Crean Lindsay Tanner examines Australia's Lonliness Crisis Volunteering: Noble gesture or the logic of necessity? What did you learn today? Mark Latham believes that is the question we must ask ourselves everyday Russell Lansbury reviews a timely new study of work councils. Labour Debates Leading US Human Resource Management expert Professor Tom Kochan argues that to meet contemporary and future workplace challenges, HRM professionals will need to redefine their role and professional identity to advocate and support a better balance between employer and employee interests at work. Kim Beazley promises action on Unfair Dismissals as part of Labor's response to Howard's WorkChoices legislation. (Laffer Lecture 2006) Mark Hearn and Grant Michelson argue that Labor should take a bolder approach See the photo gallery of the 14th Kingsley Laffer Lecture Substance matters: George Megalogenis's The Longest Decade should be required reading for Kevin Rudd, not least for inspiration about reforming Labor's industrial relations policy. Distinguished University of Sydney academic and labour lawyer Ron McCallum argues that the Howard Government's proposed workplace relations reforms will lead to the corporatisation of Australian labour law to the detriment of Australian 'industrial citizens'.(Laffer Lecture 2005) Secretary of the Australian Employee Ownership Association, Klaas Woldring highlights the importance of employee ownership in the IR context and current reform debate. In November 2004, the Business and Labour History Group in the School of Business, University of Sydney convened a conference to promote business history research and to foster critical analysis of management strategy, leadership and discourse. Maddox argues that politicians, and notably Prime Minister John Howard, seek to mobilise and manipulate Australia's ‘Christian’ electorate. As Labor hints that it is about to reverse its long-standing resistance to individual work contracts, federal Labor MP Lindsay Tanner rejects calls for the ALP to follow the Howard Government’s pro-business embrace of labour market deregulation. Stuart Macintyre on Labor's emergence in national politics Time to Listen to Workers and Unions: Chris Wright responds to the views expressed by Robert McClelland According to Federal Workplace Relations Shadow Minister Robert McClelland, Labor should welcome small business participation in its conferences and other structures. Australian Workers Union National Secretary Bill Shorten outlines a series of proposals to promote greater workplace security and equity Working the New Zealand Waterfront The workSite Interviews Heather Ridout, Deputy Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group, outlines the challenges facing Australia as it tries to reconcile a commitment to a safety net of good wages and working conditions while competing with the highly productive, low wage economies of Asia. Creating a nation of Hope: An interview with Bob Hawke Premier Bob Carr makes his case for a negligible migrant intake, resistance to increases in rural populations, and Australian foreign aid tied to population control policies. Labour & Business History Harry Knowles argues that understanding history is vital for good management. Rowan Cahill outlines the education and history package launched by the Maritime Union of Australia for use in Australian secondary schools. Jeff Shaw reviews a new history of the Presidents of the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales. Ray Markey reviews a new book by Erik Eklund tracing the rise of an industrial town and its changing social relationships. Book Reviews OH&S Regulation for a Changing World of Work Craig Cameron argues that Joellen Riley's book Employee Protection at Common Law is timely in the post-WorkChoices environment. The history of Australian enterprise has been long neglected in academic scholarship; we lack the rich tradition of business history found in Britain and the United States. The Big End of Town helps to overcome that neglect. Michael Crosby's provocative call for revitalising Australia's unions raises some difficult - and unresolved - issues. A new book on OHS legislation exposes the shortcomings of existing legislation but also provides suggestions and examples for how to address these shortcomings. Leanne Cutcher reviews a new book by Barbara Pocock who examines what work is doing to Australians - and what to do about it. A new book on US politics draws parallels between the challenges confronting the American Democrats and the Australian Labor Party to win back the territory conceded to conservatives over the last two decades. The history of Australian enterprise has been long neglected in academic scholarship; we lack the rich tradition of business history found in Britain and the United States. The Big End of Town helps to overcome that neglect. In her book Howard Under God, Marion Maddox argues that politicians, and notably prime Minister John Howard, seek to mobilise and manipulate Australia's ‘Christian’ electorate. At last, a book that tells us something about the true nature of the Australian-American relationship! As the three authors of this important study argue, the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Australia and the United States of America is probably the most lop-sided and damaging bilateral agreement in Australian history. Ariadne Vromen questions the Botsman/Latham vision of social capital and community. Duncan Kerr argues that it's time to move beyond Howard's hysteria about asylum seekers and develop a just and sustainable population policy A new book on US politics draws parallels between the challenges confronting the American Democrats and the Australian Labor Party to win back the territory conceded to conservatives over the last two decades. worksite home