$10.25 per hour working poor Prole in a PlutocracyIn Perth LHMU members spoke out against the laws
"I actually asked to speak at the rally because all of this makes me really angry, " said 27 year old Misty Matthews, who now works as a cleaner and patient support in a government hospital.
Six years without paid leave
" I hear John Howard and employers saying that the Unions are scare mongering about AWAs and losing conditions, but I have worked on AWAs and individual contracts before ( When a previous conservative gov't introduced them in West'n Australia), and as a result I went for six years without any paid leave.
"I was told that my hourly rate ($10.25 hour) compensated for no paid leave.
" When I broke my ankle playing sport I ended up having to come to work in a cast, otherwise I had no income.
" That is the reality of workplace agreements."
Other LHMU members attending the Perth rally
Irene Snow is a social trainer, working with people with intellectual disabilities at Active Foundation, which she has done for over 15 years.
Now in her 60s, she will soon be retiring. "Obviously I worry about what work conditions will be like for my children and grandchildren.
" Some people will be able to bargain and look after themselves, but a lot of people won't. And what about the pension? That's linked to the average weekly wage, so all of this could affect me even after I stop working."
Anne Anderson is an experienced Child Care director and was employed to set up the Curtin Technology Park Child Care Centre.
She set up the centre, successfully seeing it through its licensing and launch. Despite her long hours, hard work and commitment, six months later Anne was sacked.
The company claimed they couldn't afford to pay her, so they employed someone with less experience for less money.
Anne's claim for unfair dismissal was successful and she was awarded 3 months pay and compensation for using her own vehicle and time to ensure the success of the Centre.
" Under this legislation, I would have nowhere to go to clear my name.
" Everything is stacked to the employer. That's wrong. That's why I will be going to the rally."
By Misty Mathews posted 15 November 05
Comment:
Adelaide protests
I met some guys in the street and they sed aorund 20-30,000 ppl had rocked up to elder park this morning for the protest....there certainly was a buzz in the city when i left my dungeon in the laet morning.
Related:
Anti-hoWARd government protest a success
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The HoWARd Government is simply robbing the disabled blind
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Encouragement is the key to social-services-to-work programs
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Opposition pension claims valid
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Thousands march for disability protest
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Howard's Job Network Bailout
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Costello, Howard's Disciple
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Corporate Welfare
Corporate welfare or how to steal social services?
Ever wondered why there are so many homeless, why we need a 10 pc GST, lack of services for mental disability, still paying off the Olympics, poor public transport planning etc etc etc?
Unemployed:
Work for the dole is legal slavery
Work for the dole was originally sold to us by Howard as a warm and fuzzy light work project. We would be working for nothing but we would be enjoying giving back something to the community, so it was reckoned.
FIGHT UNEMPLOYMENT!
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Mark Latham's, token gestures for older unemployed
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Work for the dole failure for two thirds
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Work for the dole? $10.00?
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'WORK FOR THE DOLE' REDUCES JOB PROSPECTS
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Youth welfare system unfair: ACOSS
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Federal Budget: Tax cuts for the rich!
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Private job network agency blues
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Indigenous Social Justice Association Djadi Dugarang
INDIGENOUS EMPLOYMENT. Part 1
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Democrats approve tougher welfare penalties: But how does that pan out?
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Military Spending
Howard: We as a nation have got to invest heavily in defence?
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Hill primed for war!
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Troop deployment not a deepening of effort: Hill
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Auditor Generals damning defence report
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