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Investment Bankers Back in Giant Fee Conga Line - 29 June 2009
Those who believe that social democracy - like vinyl records, leggings and riots in Iran - is back in fashion would have been bewildered by news this week from the world of investment banking. After 18 months in which the outraged proletariat railed at the big end of town across the world, with politicians leading from the back, it seemed that a new order of restraint and modesty had come to pass. [ MORE ] An Industry Policy is Vital for Growth - 15 June 2009
Strong trade unions are not an impediment to a flourishing economy. Studies in the US have shown that firms with strong unions have better productivity growth than firms without unions. They can play a role in a sensible industry policy. [ MORE ] Fair Work Act Not Fair For All - 11 June 2009
Contrary to much of the media coverage of the event, most of our time at the ACTU congress was spent not on the Australian Building and Construction Commission or workplace laws but on discussing the broader agenda of unions about jobs and the economic crisis facing Australia. [ MORE ] Revolt by Unions on Work to 67 - 25 May 2009
Left-wing trade unions have demanded Kevin Rudd dump his plan to lift the pension eligibility age from 65 to 67 or face a showdown over the issue on the floor of the Labor Party national conference in July. Insisting workers should be allowed to retire at 65, the unions have also rejected a proposal by the Henry review that people also be prevented from accessing their superannuation until the age of 67. [ MORE ] Judge Slams James Hardie Executives for Asbestos Fund Deception - 6 May 2009
The victims have died in their thousands, the compensation claims will run into untold hundreds of millions and the reputations of those running James Hardie have been shredded. [ MORE ]

A Union Response to the Global Financial Crisis - Building Job Security & Social Justice
Free-wheeling, deregulated capitalism has failed and the role of government should be greatly expanded with heavier taxation on asset speculation, a coalition of Australia's most powerful left-wing unions will argue at next week's ACTU Congress. In our policy response to the global financial crisis we argue for more regulation of the private sector, starting with the banks and finance sector, and for Government assistance to industry to come with conditions on maintaining jobs, local content and caps on executive pay. [ READ MORE ]

CFMEU Exceeds One Million Dollar Pledge to Victorian Bushfire Appeal
Tragedies such as these remind us all of the collective essence of the human condition. It is this impulse to band together and help those in need that is the wellspring of trade union activity. In this light all three Divisions of the CFMEU have been hard at work raising over one million dollars that the union pledged to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. [ READ MORE ]

Nanomaterials - New Technology New Hazards
If you use sunscreen, paint, glass, plastics or fuel, amongst others, you may be handling a new technology - nanotechnology - that in the long run may prove to be highly toxic. For instance Zinc Oxide in sunscreen and Titanium Dioxide in both sunscreen and paint are commonplace, but using this new technology they have been transformed into nanomaterials that may increase their toxicity. Early tests show asbestos like properties for some other nanomaterials. If you want to find out more click below or go to http://www.actu.asn.au/HealthSafety/Campaigns/ACTUSeminarNanotechnologyTheNextAsbestos.aspx [ READ MORE ]

Arthur Scargill Reveals the Truth of the 1984 UK Miners Strike
It has been 25 years since the miners' strike began - now, for the first time, then National Union of Miners leader Arthur Scargill writes his account of the most bitter UK industrial dispute in living memory. [ READ MORE ]

Construction Workers Deserve the Same Rights As All Workers - Abolish the ABCC Now
Professor George Williams is the Director of the Centre for Public Law at the University of New South Wales. In 2008 he undertook a major legal analysis of the powers of the ABCC. He found that "The ABCC's investigatory powers simply have no place in a modern, fair system of industrial relations, let alone one of a nation that prides itself on political and industrial freedoms". His analysis can be read here. [ READ MORE ]

CFMEU Submission to Australia's Future Tax System Review
Our Submission to this Review highlights how the tax burden on ordinary wage and salary earners has escalated while corporate contributions have remained static. The submission sets out key principles for a progressive tax system and makes suggestions to rein in unjustified tax concessions for corporations and high wealth individuals. We also deal at length with the key issue of bogus sub-contracting. [ READ MORE ]

CFMEU Response to Subclass 457 Integrity Review Paper No 3
This submission calls for 457 visa holders to be paid market rates so as not to undermine local wages. It also calls for the reintroduction of labour market testing and for approved sponsoring employers to have a demonstrated training record. [ READ MORE ]

Speech by John Sutton at the May Day Toast in Newcastle
"In reflecting on the current political and industrial events in Australia and internationally it's obvious dramatic change is unfolding around us." [ READ MORE ]

Guide to Major Deficiencies in National OHS Model Law Review
With the release of the second and final report of the National OHS Review Panel, it has become clear that many of their recommendations would seriously undermine existing OHS laws. The attached guide has been produced by the ACTU to inform members of the major deficiencies in the reports. It will assist when lobbying MPs and others to oppose these deficiencies and suggests best practice alternatives. [ READ MORE ]