The authorities are really getting tough in Henan Province as they try to clamp down on dangerous working conditions in local coal mines. This report today from the Hong Kong-based China Labor Bulletin:

Mine managers in Henan be suspended if nine people die in one accident

Mine managers of coal mines in Henan province with more than nine deaths in a single accident will be disqualified and suspended from working in mine operations for five years, according to provincial work safety officials.

During a press conference on 6 July, provincial work safety officials said coal mine managers will be warned if five or more miners die in a single accident in their coal mines, while they will be disqualified and suspended from working in mine operations for five years if nine or more miners die in a single accident. The new policy is mainly related to the increasing number of coal mine accidents in the province in the first half of this year, especially in Zhengzhou City and Pingdingshan City.

The new policy also said that if a coal mine continues to operate when major defaults are discovered by mine safety inspectors for two times or more in three months, the mine manager will be suspended from working in coal mine operations for five years.

Sources: Sina.com (7 July 2006), Dahe Daily (7 July 2006)

Pretty reasonable penalties, eh? It’s not as if the coal mine managers are committing any hideous crime such as joining the Falun Gong or, heaven forbid, blogging…

http://www.google.com/press/pressrel/exec_chefs.html which begins:

Google Hungry for Executive Chefs

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – August 4, 2005 – Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced a worldwide search for two executive chefs with the experience to creatively manage the preparation of thousands of quality breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals each day at the company’s Mountain View, Calif. headquarters. The executive chefs will oversee the development and continual refinement of an eclectic menu capable of suiting every Googler palate, from vegan entrees to pad thai, grilled burgers, and wood-fired pizza – all while using organic ingredients whenever possible.

“These two chefs will play an important role in managing the company’s growing appetites,” said Sergey Brin, president, Technology, Google Inc. “We welcome all culinary engineers to try out for our exceptional team.”

The Cookoff
Qualified chefs are invited to submit their resumes to Google at jobs@google.com. When a critical mass of submissions has been received, the top candidates will be invited to Google headquarters to prepare a meal for the “tasting committee.” Four finalists will compete in a Google Chef Cookoff, whose two winners will be offered the roles of Executive Chef at Google.

I’m still waiting for the formation of the Google Cricket Club…

From The Register:
Robot runs riot at California hospital

Staff and patients at San Francisco’s UCSF Medical Center were left fearful and shaken last week, when a robotic nurse threw off its shackles and went on the rampage.

“Waldo”, a robot used to dispense pills and potions to medical stations at the top notch medical facility, refused to return to the pharmacy to pick up a fresh stash at the end of his rounds, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

I was pleased to see that the majority of Australia’s national league netballers have affiliated with the Australian Workers Union. The AWU website has more news of the alliance with the ANPA.

The cancellation of the 2004-05 National Hockey League following an industrial dispute could well mean the death knell of the sport as a viable major league concern in North America. Will we miss it? Give me curling anyday.

For all the reportage running around at the moment, I’ll refer you to the Christian Science Monitor for an overview, and to the extensive coverage of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. And who better to explore the class struggle than the World Socialist Web Site?

Meanwhile, the Free Stanley Movement insists that the Stanley Cup can still be contested this season even with no NHL. Listen to this audio report from NPR earlier this month, and note well the following remarks from the Free Stanley website:

With the NHL season cancelled your hockey team could win the Stanley Cup! That’s what our research tells us.To be counted in, you simply have to contact the Stanley Cup trustees and issue a challenge for the Cup.

I wonder if the Canterbury Eagles could be convinced to mount a challenge?

“Justice is distorted, and our economy is held back, by irresponsible class actions and frivolous asbestos claims…”
- GW Bush, State of the Union address, 2.2.05

I’ll say just two words - 1: James. 2: Hardie.

(Thanks to Rahul Mahajan for drawing my attention to this.)

The Australian Tax Office saved $700,000 by changing the printing of tax returns to a new paper supplier. Today’s Sun-Herald explains the consequences for ATO staff.

We haven’t heard much about this in the international media. Filipino police and army dispersal officers opened fire on a demonstration of striking sugarcane farmers and mill workers at Hacienda Luisita, near Tarlac City, last Tuesday. Fourteen people were killed and at least 35 others shot and wounded.

The Central Azucarrera de Tarlac Labor Union and United Luisita Workers Union issued a joint press release on Friday condemning the massacre and calling for international support.

See also the following entry from A Sassy Lawyer In Philippines Suburbia.

The Hacienda Luisita sugar plantation is owned by the family of former Filipino president Corazon Aquino.

I’ll be following this story.