The Federal Government is drafting workplace reforms after COVID-19 has affected business and the economy and the ACTU is raising concerns that the Government focus will be to withdraw worker protections and listen to employer groups who want to cut pay and conditions.  Sally McManus has said there are “concerning signs” the government is poised to side with employer groups calling for industrial relations reforms that would cut take-home pay.  The ACTU is now urging the industrial relations minister, Christian Porter, not to jeopardise Australia’s recovery from the Covid-19 recession by harming consumer confidence with permanent cuts to pay.

Industrial relations negotiations between unions and business broke down in September after several employer groups angrily rejected a deal struck between the Australian Council of Trade Unions and the Business Council of Australia.

Sally McManus called on worker to be on “high alert” as other employer groups will now “directly lobby the government to implement what they wanted all along: cuts to [industrial] awards”.

We need to prepare for a campaign to stop any negative proposals, much groundwork has been done here and discussions with the cross-bench have commenced.

At the moment we are asking all unionists and affiliates to encourage members to email their local LNP MP or Scott Morrison and sign this petition which will build up active supporters for the For The Workers campaign.