Tristan
"though some workers are so industrially weak that solidarity through Secondary Boycott is perhaps the only way they could get a decent outcome through bargaining."

Australia's award system is designed so that people get a decent wage no matter how industrially weak they are. And our minimum wage is the highest in the world.

Secondary boycotts are a bad thing and should not be used anywhere!

Last time I said union criminality was 100% about greed. I realise that was slightly inaccurate: sometimes it's due to fear (as criminal gangs sometimes intimidate union staff). But it's NEVER EVER about protecting the interests of union members. Union criminality is always against the long term interests of union members, and usually against their short term interests too.

The falling wage share of the economy is not necessarily a bad thing, as it makes the economy more resilient to supply shocks. But some of the fall in the wage share is in any case unavoidable, as a greater proportion of wealth is in the form of intellectual property, much of which is in the hands of a few companies, so profit distribution is strongly skewed to the right. The average business is more profitable, but the median business may not be.

I'm against political strike action. We have democracy; we shouldn't try to subvert it.

Our industrial relations system should ensure that pattern bargaining is neither needed nor successful.

The reality is in the long term, wages depend far more on the strength of the economy than they do on the industrial relations system.

Aiden ; Its true that because we have the legacy of centralised wage fixing that our minimum wages are higher than many other countries. (eg: especially the US) But our social wage is not as strong as the Europeans and the Nordics either. There are several countries that do as well as we do on income equality, for instance, but who support a strong social wage and welfare state as well.

Disproportionalities between investment in wages and investment in revolutionising the means of production also mean there is a tendency for profits to fall - though not absolute. Other problems hark back to the oil shocks; and today the fact that global economic stratification will come under challenge. (challenging First World lifestyles) Inequality and falling wages mean there are restrictions on consumption - which are dealt with partly through personal borrowing. Long term its not sustainable.

The Swedes tried responding to falling wage share in the 1980s by demanding collective capital share I return for previous wage restraint. It did not work because of an employer backlash - but I think this was reasonable as opposed to copping a hit to wage share 'in return' for tax cuts for instance. Those tax cuts (during the Accord years) actually undermined the social wage as well - as the tax cuts were paid for through austerity, user pays etc elsewhere as well (eg: Education) ....

also Aiden - You say you don't want to subvert democracy through political strike action... I think it depends partly on voter sentiment. Governments should be held to account when they undertake destructive 'reforms' for which they don't have a mandate. And when tens of thousands of jobs are at stake ; or we are facing a war of aggression (eg: the Second Gulf War) ; or where the unemployed and pensioners are being persecuted ; or people thrown out of their homes on to the street - what do you do?

Civil Disobedience should always be part of the picture. Remember Hitler claimed a mandate as well. And a strong labour movement willing to use its power to defend democracy and human rights - is one of the strongest defences such a democracy has.

Tristan

You say “The unemployed already live in such poverty it interferes with their ability to seek work”? Excuses, excuses.

Public Transport is extremely cheap. Government provide concession passes for those seeking employment – plus welfare, plus other concessions.

You say – “Student poverty forces mainly young people to seek out work that actually prevents them from getting the most out of their study””. Excuses, excuses

How is it then for many generations, students have attended University, Tafe or other Educational Courses, worked a second job as they had to pay their way, all Graduated and/or passed their relevant Educational Courses, and created a future. No hand outs from the Government in those days. Did they put in the “hard yakka” – of course they all did! Nothing prevented those generations of students obtaining Degrees and seeking a better quality of life for themselves.

You say – “ and we have the threat of a permanently two-tiered Education system which disadvantages those unable to afford private schooling”. Excuses, excuses

What’s wrong with the Public Education system – have you perused the annual published lists for year 12 students over the years. Those State high achievers – all don’t attend private schools? They have been schooled in the Private and Public Education systems. Some top achievers come from Public Schools in lesser affluent areas, teaching staff including students are certainly proud of their school’s achievements.

You say – “ Mental health is neglected and many mentally-ill (hundreds of thousands of Australians) can expect to die 25 years younger. “Mental health importantly, Labor's mental health policy commits to halving suicide rates. But what about addressing the 'elephant in the room' of mental health related mortality, with close to 300,000 Australians with schizophrenia who can be expected to die 25 years before their time?

Yes, let’s address the “elephant in the room”, 300,000 Australians with schizophrenia …..mmmmm. Today’s news – there are 260,000 users of Ice in Australia. 160,000 users are addicted. Age group of biggest users 15 to 25 year olds.

cont'd

New figures show one in three offenders in NSW are high on ice when they are arrested and put behind bars. The above facts don’t take in the figures for those on any other drugs, steroids or alcohol abuse.

Australian youth are using a drug that will kill them. Ice use has exploded in the last 3 years. (Paul Murray Live 29/2/)

Why do you think the “young” generation believe it’s “really cool” to take drugs which destroys their brains leading to mental health problems. Oh and that’s right, don't forget the “hand wringers” out there who now complain the waiting list is too long for addicted users to get into rehab.

How is this situation the taxpayer’s responsibility?

We – the taxpayers – have to pick up the bill again, I haven’t included in the above any figures for alcohol abuse, again the taxpayers made to pick up the bill.

We all have choices in life. It’s time the “youth” of Australia grow up and take responsibility for their own actions. Show some respect for yourself, your parents, your family members including the rest of society.

Why should police, ambulance personnel and doctors be threatened by the extreme levels of violence they have to continually deal with from uncontrollable, drugged out ice users?

It doesn’t take “nuggets” to say NO to alcohol abuse, violence, and drugs (of any type). Why – as you know the end result will be either you are dead or locked up in jail…..your call!

You’ve just run out of “excuses”

SAINTS ; See here re university dropouts - the rate of which is actually increasing - probably because of pressures with time, part-time work etc.: https://theconversation.com/uni-drop-out-rates-show-need-for-more-support-not-capped-enrolments-45577

re: The unemployed its not only the 'Left' who is saying the rate of the Newstart allowance is frustrating people in their search for work. Even the Business Council of Australia says its not good enough. And I have heard there is only one job for every five sob-seekers. It is a matter of social control rather than fairness.

re: Public sector state school high achievement - you will find a fair share of 'elite' state schools there - such as Melbourne High. You will find much fewer non-elite schools, and especially schools in regions and poorer suburbs. If there wasn't an advantage to be gained why would parent pay $20,000 and even much more sending their kids to private schools? As with university dropouts - its bad for low income students and their families - but bad for just about everyone else as well - except the high income people who get tax-breaks in return for the negligence...

Further your comments on schizophrenia display ignorance.

You exhibit an "I'm alright" mindset and do not seem to care one jot for people who are worse off than you. The irony is that everyone suffers when we neglect education and frustrate the unemployed in their search for work. Your comments about schizophrenia - where almost 300,000 can expect to die 25 years before their time exhibit extraordinary callousness. I hope you don't consider yourself a Christian as you appear to have little or no compassion or sense of justice.