
Issue No 53		12 May 2000

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News

Salami Reform: Reith Chops Up the Nasties

New industrial laws introduced into Parliament this week are nothing more than Peter Reith's second wave in slices, according to the Federal Opposition.

Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Arch Bevis, says Reith is taking the 'slice the salami' approach to his failed legislation, and will now serve it up a piece at a time.

Key elements of the package, slipped into Parliament the day after the Budget was handed down, include:

- outlawing strike action in support of industry-wide claims

- - limiting strike action to 48 hours

- - strengthening the rights of employers to pursue common law actions against unions.

Bevis has vowed to oppose any measures that undermine the powers of the Industrial relations Commission, but there are concerns that the Australian Democrats may jump ship and support aspects of Reith's latest proposition..

"Despite the findings of the Labor and Democrat Senators resulting from the comprehensive inquiry into the second wave legislation, it appears that the Government is set to return to the scene of the crime," Bevis says.

"Last year, it was clear that the provisions on 'pattern bargaining' sought by Mr Reith were flawed and would unnecessarily direct the independent commission.

"Instead of spending his time finding new ways to undermine workers conditions and rights, Mr Reith should honour his commitment to introduce laws to protect workers when companies go broke.

On 31 August last year, Reith announced that he intended to have legislation in the Parliament dealing with the protection of employee entitlements. Nearly 10 months later, we still haven't seen any legislation to deal with this issue.

Meanwhile, the CFMEU says the Reith's attack on workers who collectively achieve strong wage agreements is hypocritical and contrary to international best practice.

"The ILO Committee of Experts has already found the current Workplace Relations Act's prohibitions on pattern bargaining are contrary to the spirit and the letter of the Collective Bargaining Convention," John Sutton, National Secretary of the CFMEU Construction & General Division, says.

"The ILO has requested the government 'take steps to review and amend the Act to ensure that collective bargaining will not only be allowed but encouraged, at the level determined by the bargaining parties'. Peter Reith's move to introduce a Pattern Bargaining Bill is not only contrary to that request; it compounds the inadequacies of the current situation.

"Pattern bargaining is common practice in all OECD countries which practice collective bargaining, including the United States," he says.

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Issue 53 contents

Interview: The Fruitful Shaw
After ten years in Parliament, NSW Industrial Relations Minister Jeff Shaw looks at some mountains still to be climbed.

Politics: Budget in Reply
Opposition Leader Kim Beazley replies to the Federal budget and paints Labor's alternative vision for the future.

Economics: Petition to Move a Mountain
A child born in Zambia or Tanzania or Bolivia owes more to international creditors than she or he will ever earn in a lifetime.

International: Solidarity in a Cold Climate
After an overnight bargaining marathon, Norway's unions have secured most of their main demands and have now ended their nationwide strike.

Health: Workers Health Centre Comes of Age
In 2001, the Workers Health Centre will celebrate its 25th anniversary, making it the longest running independent trade union based health and safety service in the country.

History: A Tribute to the Fallen
A Canadian tractor operator is seeking help to produce a book on monuments to people killed in the workplace.

Satire: Ralph Web Ring Busted
Following the dismissal of 27 Telstra employees last week for downloading hardcore pornography on their work computers, Ralph magazine sacked five employees yesterday for downloading positive images of women.

Review: Waterfront - Through the Reporters' Eyes
Fairfax journalists Helen Trinca and Anne Davies have skillfully transformed the waterfront war into the sort of thriller that any self-respecting Hollywood mogul would reject for being too wild to be true.

» Costello Backs National GST Pay Claim

» Conference Call: Support the NSW Way

» Games Rail Service in Limbo

» Shaw Moves on Email Protection

» Salami Reform: Reith Chops Up the Nasties

» Advocate in Trouble Over Rural Sackings

» Unionists take to Streets for May Day 2000

» Shareholders Rattle Rinto Tinto Cage

» Joy Dispute Widens With Midnight Run

» Employers Fail to Defy History

» Indonesian Labor Educator Reports to Local Unions

» Big Drum-Up This Wednesday