
Issue No 65		04 August 2000

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Labor's IR Platform: Winding Back Reith

By Peter Lewis

The ALP has linked its industrial relations policy with retraining and social welfare in a bid to develop new strategies to address growing workplace insecurity.

The three strands are woven into a platform that winds back the Reith agenda while providing support for working families squeezed by longer hours, through initiatives focussed on early childhood services.

Opposition leader Kim Beazley has placed the platform as a 'critical area of product differentiation' difference between the ALP and the Howard government; while endorsing the role the labour movement has played in developing new agendas for working life.

"The trade union movement are the frontline defences of the needs of ordinary Australian families," Beazley said.

Labor's industrial relations spokesman Arch Bevis said a Beazley Government would be driven by six core principles in framing its IR framework:

a strong and independent Industrial Relations Commission
support for collective bargaining
a requirement for all parties to bargain in good faith
empowering the IRC to resolve all industrial disputes
assisting workers balance work and family life
a national scheme of worker entitlements.

Bevis also drew attention to the increasing number of lock-outs by employers, such as Joy Manufacturing, as evidence of the hostile environment that the Howard government had created.

"This strategy replaces the gladiatorial nature of industrial relations to restore a sense of community and common purpose in the workforce," he said.

The Conference endorsed a series of amendments aimed at constructing a response to the partial protection of workers entitlements by the Reith Government.

Textile union delegates called for changes to Corporations Law to allow workers to pursue directors who trade while insolvent. That was adopted as was a commitment to develop a national approach to the entitlements issue.

They also called on State Labor Governments to introduce a transition scheme to "fully compensate workers for all entitlements lost as a result of the inadequate federal scheme". That proposal was referred to the national Executive for action.

And the Party endorsed the Delegates Rights Charter, giving union delegates rights to organise, consult and be trained. Under the platform a Labor Government would promote the rights in the charter through legislation and other initiatives.

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Issue 65 contents

Interview: Hobart Perspective
Having held senior positions in both wings of the labour movement, Martin Ferguson went to Hobart with more perspective than most. He shares a bit of it with Workers Online.

Politics: Love-in In a Cold Climate
In our exclusive campaign diary we bring you the sights, sounds and smells of the ALP's Hobart conference.

Unions: Passion Plays
Canadian union campaigner Sharon Costello outlines how British Columbia nurses are using the arts to activate their membership base.

International: Spanish Telecom Builds Employee Portal
The prospect of on-line access for unions to company employees was outlined to Union Network International by the head of Spanish Telecommunications giant. Telefonica.

History: Husky Girls and the Female Psyche
When women entered the workforce during World War Two their male supervisors were given these simple tips to get the most out of them.

Satire: Communism Vindicated by Successful Collective Meeting
Tonight's meeting of the Marxism-Leninism Now Collective demonstrated the continuing relevance and ultimate success of communist principles, according to the Collective's Secretary, George Addison, 44.

Review: Following the Money
A new book looks at the role the bosses have played in the changing industrial relations framework.

» Chaudhry, Burrow Discuss Strengthening Unions' Stand

» Shopping Centres' 'Pay to Work' Plan

» Labor's IR Platform: Winding Back Reith

» Redback clerks buck casual trend

» No Joy in Ministerial Mind Slip

» Parlt House Cleaners' Fight Gets Dirty

» Rural Safety Lapses' Massive Cost

» 5000 Students Back the Hands that Feed Them

» Mobile Phones Health Warning

» Bank Staff Fight Fruitpicking Future

» No Science in CSIRO Sell-Down

» Hotel Workers Target Big Chains

» Wheels of Justice Slow as Reporters Walk

» Free Political Economy Classes for Activists

» APHEDA plans Asian and Middle Eastern tours

» The Soapbox

» Sport

» Trades Hall

» Tool Shed

» In defence of coffee

» Rail commuter warns pollies

» We want a bigger slice of pie

» Latham should watch the Footy Show

» Editor bagged

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