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Issue No. 334 | 24 November 2006 |
It�s Who The Economy Works For, Stupid
Interview: Common Ground Industrial: A Low Act Unions: The Number of the Least Politics: The Smoking Gun Economics: Microcredit, Compulsory Superannuation and Inequality Environment: Low Voltage History: The Art of Social Justice Review: Work�s Unhealthy Appetite Culture: A Forgotten Poet
Wages Heading South Under WorkChoices STOP PRESS: Workers Docked for Meeting Pollies Telstra Redundancies �Inhumane� ILO Gets Tough on Forced Labour Houston Win Sparks Hope for New Era Full List of November 30 Venues
The Soapbox Parliament
Labor Council of NSW |
News AWAs Carpeted
The workers were in limbo after their employer, Feltex, went into receivership and carpet giant Godfrey Hirst moved to take over - insisting the workers sign AWAs which watered down many of the conditions included in the current Feltex union collective agreement. "I am not satisfied that the employment offered in the AWAs ... constitutes acceptable alternative employment," ruled senior deputy AIRC president Ian Watson. The AWAs offered by Godfrey Hirst reduced a host of entitlements including redundancy, maternity leave and annual leave; as well as giving the employer greater power to stand workers down and unilaterally change their duties. The ruling meant Feltex staff would not face losing their jobs without receiving a redundancy payout if they didn't sign the AWAs, said Michele O'Neil of the textiles union (TCFUA). "The company has tried to exploit WorkChoices. If they now want to get on with making carpets they should stop trying to reduce workers rights." The workers want to continue being covered by their collective union agreement, which doesn't expire until mid-2007, O'Neil said. The TCFUA is fighting Godfrey Hirst in a separate Federal Court in another action, arguing the workers are entitled to the protection of their current agreement in any transmission of business.
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