National Badge Day

A bit of a political post here but too bad. You've gotta listen. Think it doesn't affect you? Well, you're an idiot for thinking that. This is federal legislation, so it will affect everyone.

March 27th is National Badge Day, a campaign run by the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union (LHMU) to bring awareness to the harsh, unfair and unjust WorkChoices legislation the Howard government introduced one year ago.

An AWA (Australian Workplace Agreement) is an individual contract. Your employer is the only person who makes up the contract, so there is no security, barely any legislation guaranteeing your conditions. They can pick and choose whatever conditions they want for you. Here are the facts, put out by the government itself*, on the state of conditions since WorkChoices was introduced:

• 64% of AWAs cut Annual Leave Loading
• 63% cut Penalty Rates
• 52% cut Shift Work Loadings
• 51% cut Overtime Loadings
• 48% cut Monetary Allowances
• 46% cut Public Holiday payments
• 40% cut REST BREAKS
• 36% cut Declared Public Holidays

Honestly, how can you cut REST BREAKS?!? Its all shocking, but even the most basic of entitlements, that 10min break for a freaking fag (i don't smoke but still!) can be cut!
How the hell was this legislation even allowed to pass through parliament? Because Howard has control of both houses of Parliament. As a consequence, he's allowed to pass whatever law he wants. AWAs don't affect him as he is employed by the Australian people, and is guaranteed a helluva lot of things. Lets see how he'd react if we cut his travel allowance. His housing allowance. He'd be singing a different tune.

You may not think this affects you. My workmates recently found out they were very wrong. We lost leave loading (some up to $400 each), District Allowance, and Night Allowance. If myself and a friend had not been members of the union, and had not fought with HR and the managers, we would also not be receiving penalty rates, because that appeared gone too. Its not WorkChoices, because we don't have a choice. A lot of us can't afford to look for another job, and those of us that do find the same situation elsewhere. That's not a choice.

Howard and his cronies are parroting on about how unemployment is at its lowest, and how wages have rised. THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE MINING AND RESOURCES BOOM! When that dies down, as everything that goes up, must come down, the real problems will come shining through.
2007 is election year. This is the time to tell Howard what we think of his unjust Work"Choices" law. If you don't care what happens to you, then think of your children, and grand children. The future. Because this will affect them too. Wear your badge or sticker with pride this Tuesday (yes, Missy, this includes YOU) and fight for your rights. If you want to join the campaign against WorkChoices, visit the website www.rightsatwork.com.au


*Incidently, Howard has put a blanket ban on the Office of Workplace Relations and the Office of the Employment Advocate from releasing any data on AWAs. Not the actions of someone who's pleased with the results now is it?

Two weeks and counting...

I've joined a gym.

Now what makes this news particularly newsworthy is that I have a phobia to any kind of exercise, no matter how remote. I live 5 houses down from the local supermarket, and I'm renowned for driving there if I need milk or whatever. I will use the ramp rather than the stairs, even if its just a couple of steps, etc, etc. I have not actually exercised since I was (forced) on the girls soccer team in year 12. And before that my attempts at being healthy would generally last a week (can't resist my cookies/cake/sweets in general. Or fries. I love fries.)

But somehow, along the way, my friend conned me into going to the gym with her. No idea how she did it.

I'm now a member (WTF? How did that happen?!)

I'm now in my third week of going... in a row. And I'm enjoying it. I have totally been taken over by an alien. I was a hardcore, dedicated, exercise-phobic being, who worked hard at doing as little exercise as possible. Now I'm a gym junkie.

We'll see how long this lasts. Let it be declared here that my first gym class (there's bodyStep, bodyPump and bodyBalance) was undertaken on the 6th of March 2007. If sanity prevails it will all be over soon. If not, may I be so buff I'll put Elle McPherson (aka "the Body") to shame! Wait, make it Heidi Klum, she's also known as the body and she's younger.

Corporations

Just a quick note for those who are scratching their heads at my corporations comment in my first post.

I've worked for one.

Its a cult.

And I'll never work for or support a corporation again.

I know there are the corporations that treat their staff like slaves. And I also know there are a (very) few corporations who pride themselves in being staff-friendly. The corporation I worked for was the latter. Still thinks its the latter. But its a cult that while appears to be staff-friendly, is infact, a money-grubbing, insensitive, unsupportive cult which despises difference. And hates it when staff question even the slightest thing.

A cult.

iPod Video

I have an iPod!

No, I did not set up a blog just so I can tell everyone I have an iPod. But I'm very proud of my iPod as it is the answer to much boredom as I begin my adventure as an Electorate Officer. This job involves travelling to opposite parts of Australia, and since budget airlines are tight and charge you an arm and half your brain just so they can entertain you, I can now beat the corporate bastards at their own game and entertain myself!

Of course I have aided another corporate bastard in the form of Apple and their vast iPod cult, but its so pretty and cool! Almost cost me half my brain, and my principles did try to make a run for it, but its totally worth it.

I hope.