TOPIC:

disagree a/man re unions...the main reason they're irrelevant is that last time I looked they represented less than 30% of the work force of which a big chunk were public servants...another fact which mystifies me as public servants need to be a convicted axe murderer or worse to get sacked. I'm not knocking unions as they brought about a more reasonable outcome to the employer/employee power imbalance but I think most workers have moved on with the exception of some of the more militant groups.

gtr: yep, the truth is that without government or trade union intervention capitalism tends towards the lowest common denominator or monopoly -- such treaties merely speed the process along, it is that simple. I have to admit, gtr, that, although I loathe the EU, one thing it does don well, with all its euro tape is maintain a reasonable living standard.

ArkRoyal wrote: jack; the problem we have had is that of pulling tariffs while China has had hers up since the fall of Mao. That is what makes Trump snotty to put it mildly.

Did we use Chinese stuff to build the kid's hospital? That has gone very well?

To the contrary AR - China has dramatically lowered tariffs since it joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in late 2001.

Trust me, I was working there not long after that time, in exactly this field.

There may be the odd exception, but with an export-driven economy, they rely on cheap imports for further manufacture and re-export, and low tariff barriers in the countries to which they export.

The question of the new kid's hospital is about quality of product - an entirely different issue.

And I will stay away from the political point, à la the new stadium.

yep..agree with everything you've said jack.

what about the period before 2001, to be fairJack? They were hihger then the West in that era. I always remember what the old German, Bismarck said about 'free trade: ' it is the weapon of the strong'. Keep that in mind in relation to Communist China.

anchorman wrote: So BC your telling me that the boss is going to say to the workers, hey look, I am a bloody good bloke.Here is a 10% pay rise.!!
More like , I am a good bloke, I will give you a 10% pay rise for another ten hours per week.
I know it is off subject, but Mal was spruiking about tax cuts how good it will be for all, workers included. If he wants to make sure the workers are looked after... don't take the weekend workers over time off them.

no mate...but it's highly unlikely the unions will deliver that outcome either given in excess of 70% of workers are not in a one.

I've just done some research and Roy Morgan reports less than 18% of the workforce belong to unions these days and not the 27% I originally thought....so workers are voting with their feet. Your passion about the subject suggests you're a union person or official yourself and good for you, but times have changed.

BC: that is true, but you need to add that nearly 60 per cent of the work force are under 'awards' or 'collective bargainning agreements' set up with the trade unions.