Scout,
Exactly AWA's are here to stay, all that can be done with AWA's is to ensure that they contain an award standard that can't be intimidated out of the employee, and made an offence to force an AWA on to anyone, offer yes, force no. The AIRC should have the power to ratify all such agreements. The crazy thing here is that employers have always had the power to pay "above award" anyway. The unions should recieve a contribution from every employee regardless of whether or not that particular employee is a union member, as the union is the body that has continually fought to have the awards upgraded, on which the AWA is based upon.

Beazley has been a dud, is a dud, and will remain a dud until Labor is again defeated at the next election for the third time, the old "three strikes, your out" principle.

It's good AWAs will go but there will always be a need for some sort of contract especially for management. I would rather have Kim Beazley as prime minister than this current evil bunch of self serving useless leaders. Take that to the bank.

Shonga,

I prefer the following:

"In short, the Communists everywhere support every revolutionary movement against the existing social and political order of things.

In all these movements, they bring to the front, as the leading question in each, the property question, no matter what its degree of development at the time.

Finally, they labour everywhere for the union and agreement of the democratic parties of all countries.

The Communists disdain to conceal their views and aims. They openly declare that their ends can be attained only by the forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions. Let the ruling classes tremble at a Communistic revolution. The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win.

Working Men of All Countries, Unite! "

From the Communist Manifesto.

A much more uplifting and directed battle cry.

I particularly like the bit about the ruling classes trembling.

Shonga TAO you give this trade unionist and Labor member JOY!
The truth is all my life I have known we the non conservatives have a big team who from within work against us.
While the only way to remove workcjhoices is with a Labor goverment NOW you pelt rotten fruit at our hopes.
In taos case he steals the dreams and plans of my childhood, in fact the failed dreams of my grand parents childhood.
The nightmare that was comunism, that enslaved and murdered workers in Starlins case by the millions.
Tao read history! the sins against humanity that comunism was fell party as a result of a union!
Soidarity in Poland , an evil system no better than evil.
SHONGA can you truely think undermineing the ALP helps workers?
Your hatred of the AWU and constant slurs enrich me! at conference, in the very real world, the left get more frantic each debate, and get voted down each time!
So you want more leftists in the party? more in conference? more votes? how? and SHONGA WHY?
Australian workers do not share your dream, never will surely you see the vote conservative? often in fear we all think like you!
Feel no sorrow for me mate I a warm and comfortable in the middle of the road with the bigest part of the crowd.
Beazley! Beazley!~ Beazley!
workers united will never be defeated!

Tao, get back to work and wait for the revolution. Mind you turn up on the 26th lest you upset your boss.

Shonga

I agree with your post except for compulsory union fees. I acknowledge that non-union workers benefit from gains made by unions, however freedom of choice is an entitlement of all.

Notice how Beazley is not making any proposals for what he would put in place of AWA's. What is the rest of the Labor party doing? Why haven't we heard any substantial policy for workplace RE-reform? Howard is again circling in for the kill.

I will be attending the 28th June protest - is there anyone else who will be at the Melbourne protest?