Factional chieftains are, indeed, getting edgy in the federal seat of Canberra where the main battle is between spin doctor Gai Brodtmann and policy wonk Mary Wood. The pre-selection of Brodtmann could present a dilemma or potential conflict of interest for hubby Chris Uhlmann if he is, as expected, to play a key part in federal election coverage for the ABC. Brodtmann, as a spin doctor, has done particularly well out of contracts with a number of federal government agencies, including spinning part of the communications strategy for climate change communication.
Expect some fun and games at Myer board meetings over the coming months. Directors are increasingly frustrated by the lackluster share price, which is being driven in part by mixed consumer sentiment, but more by the fact that the department store has not been able to drive any sales growth over the past four years, with annual sales still below the level they were when TPG purchased Myer in 2006. Bernie Brookes is coming under increasing pressure as the store nears the end of it’s much-hyped 50-month rebuild program, which was supposed to fix all the former Coles-Myer ills and drive growth. It hasn’t happened, and with Q3 sales expected to disappoint, patience around the board table is wearing thin.
More on the Health Services Union mess: Members ringing the advice line and asking questions are being dealt with in a rude manner. Remember, these are the low paid employees at hospitals, ones that should be protected, and they are being treated like rubbish. Also, what is going to happen to the HSU’s $4 million building? And I always thought that elections were for four years — the HSU election was held in December, so why is one elected official ringing up members stating he is on a one-year contract? Sounds like there are a lot of questions to be asked (and yes I am a member, because there is nowhere else to go).
More on Bob Gosford’s article on payroll admin in the Northern Territory: it is not just the hospital staff experiencing this. After working with the NTG for over a year I suddenly stopped being paid. This went on for almost six weeks and only ended after I went (alone) on strike for five days. This caused my manager to get very irate and, hey presto, I received some funds. Mind you there was no super paid and the pay slip was incorrect. Since my strike I have several different amounts paid each pay period and the pay slip makes no sense. I have asked for a full and itemised break down of how my pay gets worked out and guess what — nothing.
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