Workplace

Howard's New Workplace Laws

100 Years of Fairness, Safety and Decency torn up.

By David Carey
Federal Secretary (SPSF Group) - CPSU Joint National Secretary

The ACTU Executive has endorsed a national campaign to protect and promote the interests of Australian working families against the Federal Government's plans to radically change Australia's workplace laws.

Speaking at the conclusion of a two day meeting of the ACTU Executive in Melbourne ACTU President Sharan Burrow said: "For more than 100 years Australia has had a system of workplace laws that has kept our workplaces decent, safe and fair. It has made sure that working families are not left behind. This is the system the Federal Government now wants to get rid of.

"The Federal Government's plans are about taking Australia down the path to an American-style system where minimum wages are just $5.15 an hour."

ACTU Executive has authorised the ACTU and State Trades and Labour Councils to coordinate a national campaign in opposition to the Federal Government's plans to:

• change the way the minimum wages in Australia are determined to make it harder for award wage workers to get decent pay increases

• abolish higher award rates of pay for more skilled workers taking Australia down the path towards a US-style system with a single minimum wage of just $5.15 an hour

• reduce the guaranteed minimum conditions available to all Australian workers through our unique system of awards

• reduce the role of the independent Industrial Relations Commission in settling disputes and setting fair and balanced minimum standards in the workplace

• remove unfair dismissal protections for employees working in businesses that employ less than 20 people

• force more Australian workers onto individual contracts

• make it harder for employees to bargain collectively with their employer to get fair wages and conditions

• make it harder for workers to access the protection and support of unions in their workplace

• increase the opportunities for employers to sue or fine workers who take industrial action.

These changes, if enacted, will impact harshly upon millions of Australians, forcing down living standards and diminishing job security and workplace safety. They will destroy the balance in Australia's workplaces and put unfair powers in the hands of employers.

The ACTU has been authorised to establish a national campaign committee and campaign fund to coordinate activity to inform the public about the Government's proposed changes and to build public support for:

• a fair and decent safety net comprising a skills-based classification structure of minimum wages, comprehensive employment conditions, and protection against unfair treatment

• an independent tribunal and fair procedures for the resolution of disputes, the evaluation of changes to the safety net, and oversight of the bargaining system

• the right for all working Australians to organise in a union, to collectively bargain, and take industrial action to protect and advance their interests at work.

The ACTU campaign will emphasise providing information in workplaces and to the public to ensure as many working Australians as possible are aware of the Government's plans.

"The Federal Government is intent on destroying a system that has delivered safety, fairness, decent standards and balance in Australian workplaces. Unions have always been about ensuring fairness and balance in the workplace and that is what this campaign is about," added Ms Burrow.

© 2001 Community & Public Sector Union - State Public Services Federation (CPSU-SPSF) - National Office

http://www.cpsu-spsf.asn.au/latest_news/general/20050317_Industrial.html
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005