All rights belong to Radio Adelaide https://radio.adelaide.edu.au/naughty-or-nice-bangladesh-worker-safety-accord/

While the harrowing events of the Rana Plaza collapse are now eight months old, Bangladeshis and NGO’s have been busy putting pressure on western garment brands to put their money where their mouth is when it comes to working conditions.

One of those who have been supporting the workers’ rights movement is Oxfam, who in the lead up to Christmas  have made a campaign to name and shame which companies have yet to sign up to the Bangladesh Worker Safety Accord.

Jarred Sferruzzi spoke with Daisy Gardner, Corporate Accountability and Fair Trade Adviser with Oxfam Australia, to find out which brands had been naughty or nice.

Naughty or Nice? Bangladesh Worker Safety Accord

All rights belong to ABC - http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2014/01/14/3925183.htm

The CEO of Regional Development Australia Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula, Dion Dorward, has reached out to employees at the Elizabeth plant in a bid to attract more workers to the region.

Eyre Peninsula for ex-Holden workers

All rights belong to Radio Adelaide - https://radio.adelaide.edu.au/bus-drivers-bargaining-a-better-deal-on-conditions/

Bus drivers have continued their campaign on Adelaide Metro contractor Transfield this week.
Transfield have been bargaining in good faith and there has been success in improving conditions.
To give us an update on the situation, South Australian Transport Workers Union industrial officer Edward Laurie joined the show.

Bus drivers bargaining a better deal on conditions

All rights belong to Radio Adelaide - https://radio.adelaide.edu.au/nt-government-accuses-etu-for-blackouts/

The Utilities Commission in the Northern Territory has released a report identifying the causes behind a power blackout last month that saw large parts of the Top End suffer a long electrical outage.

Despite not mentioning union practices in the findings, Treasurer Dave Tollner blames workers’ rights and Trade Unions as the sole cause.

Are organised workers to blame for the power blackout or is this another chapter in the government’s attack on unions?

Paul Kirby, Northern Territory Organiser for the Electrical Trades Union spoke to Jarred Sferruzzi about the situation.

NT Government accuses ETU for blackouts

All rights belong to Radio Adelaide - https://radio.adelaide.edu.au/fairfax-journos-wildcat-strike-after-more-job-losses-announced/

Fairfax journalists in major cities have gone on strike for 24 hours after the company announced it will cut about 80 full-time positions across newsrooms in Sydney and Melbourne.

They were later joined by a number of staff from other Fairfax publications across the country.  The media company plans to outsource these jobs to external agencies.The move comes after 1900 jobs were slashed just two years ago.

So what is going wrong for Fairfax – and what does this mean for their staff and for journalism in Australia?

Jarred Sferruzzi speaks with  Stuart Washington, a senior journalist from the Sydney Morning Herald.

Fairfax journos wildcat strike after more job losses announced

All rights belong to Radio Adelaide - https://radio.adelaide.edu.au/secret-international-trade-deals-could-harm-our-public-sector/

Did you know that our government is secretly negotiating an international trade agreement which could put your public sector at risk?

Discussions for the Trade in Services Agreement are being led by Australia and the US, and have the potential to make all future services in partner countries private. If agreed to, no signatory government will be able to overrule any aspect of the agreement that impacts them in a negative way. The health sector is just one area that’s under threat.

Jarred Sferruzzi speaks to Michael Waites, Organiser and Educator from the New South Wales Nurses and Midwives Association.

You can find more information by visiting Public Services International.

Secret international trade deals could harm our public sector

In the spirit of solidarity, late last year the Freedom Flotilla took West Papuan activists from the centre of Australia, to the shores of our pacific neighbour.

Footage from the journey was screened recently and Your Rights at Night reporter Jarred Sferruzzi went along to speak with some of the organisers.

For local information about the struggle, and to be kept up-to-date about the competition in which one lucky person will be able to win the chance to visit the region, visit awpa-sa.org.au.

Freedom for West Papua

All rights belong to Radio Adelaide - https://radio.adelaide.edu.au/solar-jobs-evaporating/

One of the world’s most advanced solar power companies has dumped plans to develop electricity plants in Australia, pointing the finger of blame solely at the Federal Government.

With the effects of climate change becoming more apparent and major manufacturing plants being shut down, are the policies of this government having a double impact on our future?

Andrew Dettmer, National President of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, joined us on the show to discuss what this means for manufacturing workers.

Solar Jobs Evaporating

All rights belong to Radio Adelaide - https://radio.adelaide.edu.au/twu-safety-circus-against-coles/

Truck drivers rallied across the country this Monday in a “safety circus” an advanced memorial for the 330 people expected to die in truck related accidents in the coming year. The Transport Workers Union blames Coles and other major retailers for putting economic pressure on drivers to engage in unsafe practices

A survey of Coles truck drivers found large numbers reporting economic pressure to skip rest breaks, speed and carry illegally large weights.

Jarred Sferruzzi spoke with TWU organiser Matthew Spring about the action and safety on Australian roads.

TWU "Safety Circus" Against Coles

All rights belong to Radio Adelaide - https://radio.adelaide.edu.au/tool-allowance/

Working conditions for apprentices got a little bit worse this week after the Federal Government passed the Trade Loans Scheme.

Under this new policy, people in training will no longer have access to supportive grants and will need to take out loans in order to cover their costs.

Andrew Dettmer, National President of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, joined us on the show.