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Issue No. 325 | 22 September 2006 |
A Values Call
Interview: Australia�s Most Wanted Industrial: The Fox and the Contractor Unions: Industrial Wasteland International: Two Bob's Worth Economics: National Interest Environment: The Real Dinosaur History: Only In Spain? Review: Clerk Off
Flying Kangaroo Eyes Passage to India It�s A Secret: Ballot Boosts ABC Campaign City or the Bush? It�s Telstra�s Call WorkChoices Reverse Somersault with Pike Latest Import: Childcare Workers
Legends The Soapbox Obituary Fiction
Aussie Values DOA It�s Not Cricket Kim�s New Platforms Reaping What You Sow Roll Out the Tanks Auntie Hijacked
Labor Council of NSW |
News Qantas Workers Ground AWAs
Members of the AMWU and AWU joined forces to secure the deal, which delivers efficiencies to the airline and a three per cent annual increase for the workers.
But AMWU's Glenn Thompson says what is not in the agreement is just as significant.
"At the outset of what has been an 11 month process, the company was initially proposing an agenda that would have cut conditions that would have represented pay cuts of up to 20 per cent.
"And they put this on the table against a back drop of their CEO Geoff Dixon, publicly endorsing WorkChoices, funding the campaign with company money and opening the prospect of AWAs in Qantas.
"Pushing back from this position has been a significant win for workers - and it has only been possible because the workers have remained united throughout the process.
AWU National Secretary Bill Shorten says the proposed agreement would provide protection for AWU Qantas members from many of the worst aspects of the Howard Government's unfair industrial relations laws.
"When our negotiations with Qantas for a new EBA began last November, AWU members at Qantas were justifiably concerned that the company would seek to use John Howard's unfair laws to strip back their conditions," Shorten says.
"We are pleased our members held firm through the protracted negotiations, and through their strength, appear to have secured vital protections.".
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