General

Australian Workplace Agreements

New unfair dismissal laws vital

The Liberal Party should accept that Australians have rejected their extreme approach to industrial relations and support Labor's plan for new laws that will scrap Work Choices and restore protection from unfair dismissal for Australian workers.

The refusal today of Shadow Minister for Workplace Relations and Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop to back Labor's new IR laws confirms that the Liberal Party is still defending Work Choices and wants to keep unfair workplace laws that take away workers' rights and leave them with less job security.

Unions are concerned that the Liberals' delay to Labor's new IR laws and will mean more than four million Australian workers will continue to be at risk of being sacked unfairly.

The Liberals' stance will mean many more working families facing the same hardship as retail worker Andrew Cruickshank who was sacked unfairly for 'operational reasons' under Work Choices.

The ACTU welcomes to commitment from the Deputy Prime Minister and Workplace Relations Minister Julia Gillard that unfair dismissal legislation is being drafted for tabling in the Parliament next year along with other legislation that will scrap Work Choices and establish a fair and balanced IR system.

ACTU President Sharan Burrow said:

"Unfair dismissal laws are vital for a fair and decent workplace. Under the Coalition Government's 'Workchoices' laws job security went out the window and we all know they had plans to go further and get rid of all unfair dismissal laws.

"It is clear from what the Liberals are saying today that they are still a party of workplace extremism.

"Research shows that the vast majority of Australians want legal protection from unfair dismissal and that the lack of protection was as a major concern with Work Choices.

"The ACTU backs the decision of the Ms Gillard to consult with unions and businesses and make sure they get the new laws right.

"The last Government hastily pushed 'WorkChoices' through Parliament and created and unfair system for both employees and employers.

"The Australian public completely and utterly rejected 'WorkChoices' at the election a few weeks ago and want a fair and balanced IR system put in place as soon as possible.

"The Liberals need to change their tune and get the message that Australians want decent rights and fairness to return to our workplaces," said Ms Burrow.

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

http://www.cpsu-spsf.asn.au/latest_news/general/20071219_dismissal.html
Last Modified: 19 Dec 2007