
Issue No 32		24 September 1999

News

Goodbye Green Bans - Dumped by the Wave

Environmental bans, economic blockades and other protests of conscience will be outlawed if the Howard Government's proposed second wave of industrial relations changes is passed by the Senate.

CFMEU construction division president Peter McClelland will this week warn a meeting of community activists and residents in Sydney's outer west that the Reith laws will kill off the ability of trade unions to act on their behalf.

The Second Wave would remove the Australian Industrial Relations Commission's discretion to accept industrial action is legal on public interest grounds and compel it to issue orders stopping any unprotected industrial action, exposing offending unions to damages.

McClelland says that the community needs to realise that if these laws go the imposition Green Bans would place the trade union's future in jeopardy. "That doesn't ,mean the CFMEU won't be active in community issues - but it will be a lot harder to be effective".

The meeting has been organised to discuss the possibility of an alliance between Unions, Environment Groups and the Community to fight the threats of over-development and urban

sprawl in the region - particularly a major new housing development.

McClelland says it's ironic that an area that has elected Liberal leaders to federal parliament, is now turning to the union movement for support.

"I wonder if those people who voted for Jacqui Kelly or John Fahey realise that they are part of a government that will leave them powerless to oppose developments on their back door?".

Peter McClelland will address Politics in the Club Friday 1st October 1999 - 7.00pm-9.00pm, Mt Druitt Workers Club 247 Woodstock Ave, Dharruk.

Other Speakers: Jack Mundey, BLF 'Green Bans' leader & heritage campaigner; Lee Rhiannon, NSW Greens MLC; Charles Manche, ADI Residents Action Group and Shane Bentley, Democratic Socialist Party.

Audience participation will be welcomed. Enquires: 9673 2545 or 0411 681137

ACTU Puts Submission to Senate

Meanwhile, the ACTU has presented its submission to the Senate inquiry into the Reith laws, describing the legislation represents as the most serious attack on the rights of workers this century.

ACTU President Jennie George says the Government's proposed laws will further weaken the safety net award system; unfairly strengthen the bargaining position of employers; restrict the ability of collective bargaining and union representation; promote exploitative individual contracts; and diminish the role of the Industrial Relations Commission.

The submission argues that the Bill be withdrawn and proposes a series of recommendations to redress the injustices of the current legislation. These include:

- Providing the Industrial Relations Commission with stronger powers to arbitrate on disputes and other employment-related matters and to ensure that all employees are protected by fair and effective awards.

- Establishing a Senate References Committee Inquiry be established into job security issues including precarious employment; hours of work' and employment protection in order to develop initiatives to increase job security for Australian employees

- Ensuring that the current industrial law conforms with International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards and conventions

- Proposing a range of amendments to the current Act in relation to collective bargaining and the right to strike

- That employers be required to negotiate in good faith with a union if that's what employees want rather than be offered AWAs

- That the Office of the Employment Advocate be abolished.

The ACTU will be appearing before the Senate Inquiry into the Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment Bill 1999 which begins in Canberra on 1 October. The Senate Inquiry will hold hearings in all major centres during October.

A range of unions, community groups and individuals will seek to make submissions to the Inquiry.

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  Issue 32 contents

Interview: His Daily Fix
Graham Richardson talks of his transition from national politics to talkback radio and his ongoing jobs as a fixer.

Politics: Requiem to the Third Way
The swing to Labor in Victoria shows clearly that once again Australian voters have rejected economic rationalism. The result, and the reasons for it, should worry John Howard.

International: A Common Struggle for Freedom
It may not get the headlines, but Western Sahara has some chilling similarities with East Timor.

Unions: Woolscour Workers say No to Peter Reith
Workers at Canobolas Wooltopping - a woolscour plant near Orange, in central west New South Wales, have just sent a message to Workplace Relations Minister Peter Reith: thanks, but no thanks.

Legal: Outlawed Acts of Consicence
The recent boycotts in support of East Timorese indepndence highlights the extremism of Reith's second wave.

History: Was Manning Clark A True Believer
A Canberra history conference shines the spotlight on Australia's most famous historian.

Review: Paranoid Echoes
The calls to examine the Australianďż˝Soviet documents in the Moscow Literary archives have grown in volume over the past year.

Labour Review: What's New at the Information Centre
The latest issue of Labour Review - a resource for officals and students.

Satire: Kennett Boosts Chances: Two More Independents Dead
Caretaker Premier Jeff Kennett today admitted that voters perceived him as arrogant and out of touch, but insisted that they were wrong.

» Public Servants Seek Leave For Timor

» Goodbye Green Bans - Dumped by the Wave

» Government Rules Nobble Public Sector

» ACTU Pushes On With Privatised Portal

» Powerful New Years Eve Deal for TransGrid

» Banks Grill Staff on New Fees

» Off the Rails - Workers Gagged

» Staff Frustration Boils Over at Sydney Water

» Kennett Nose-Dive: Botsman Picks It

» Academics Fail Non-Union Deal

» Nike in Indonesia: Military Employed to Intimidate Workers

» The Laughďż˝s On Barry