Forward With Fairness versus Work Choices ... Clear Choice

WITH the Federal election only weeks away Australian workers and their families will finally get the chance to deliver their verdict on John Howard’s extreme IR laws. Three years ago we were denied this chance as Howard kept secret his plans to deliver big business a huge increase in their power at the expense of ordinary Australians.

WHILST not the only issue it is clear that Australians' rights at work will be a major factor in determining the election outcome. With the finalization of the Labor party's industrial relations policy voters now know their stance on this issue. Unfortunately this cannot be said of the Liberal and National parties. Many Coalition MPs, like SA Liberal Senator Nick Minchin, are already on public record saying they do not believe Work Choices went far enough in shifting the balance of power to employers. Howard is saying little on their policy except to say there may be further "fine tuning". It appears they will again not tell us their future plans for IR until after the election.

FOR a comparison of Labor IR policy and the current Coalition laws please visit: Clear Choice Comparison Sheet or download the attached pdf version for easy online viewing.

WE welcome Labor's commitment to restoring a decent safety net, the rights of workers to collectively bargain if that is what the majority want and a strong and truly independent umpire. We also welcome their commitment to abolish any new AWAs; we do believe the transitional period during which current AWAs will continue to exist is too long. The continuation of restrictions on workers' rights to take industrial action and have access to their Unions at worksites is disappointing as is the commitment to retain the Australian Building and Construction Commission which has been used against building workers and their Unions.

ELECTING a Labor Government will go a long way towards establishing a fair deal for workers and their families but the campaign to secure a comprehensive set of decent rights at work into the future will need to continue whoever gets elected and your ASU will remain at the forefront of that campaign.

IT also remains the case that even good legislation can only take us so far; the best way to protect and improve your rights at work and your working conditions is and will remain being an active member of your Union.

Andy Dennard
ASU SA + NT Branch Secretary

Authorised by: Andy Dennard ASU SA+NT Branch Secretary & Katrine Hildyard ASU SA+NT Branch Assistant Secretary
Australian Services Union SA+NT Branch
5-9 Rundle Street Kent Town 5067 p: 8363 1322 f: 8363 2225 e: union@asu-sant.asn.au w: asu-sant.asn.au

Download File:
Clear Choice [ pdf ]