
Issue No 84		16 February 2001

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News

Government Must Lead on Casual Leave

The ACTU has slammed the Federal Government's failure to support an ACTU test case to extend unpaid maternity leave to casual workers.

ACTU president Sharan Burrow says the move will deny Australia's 2 million casuals the security of knowing they can have a family without the fear of losing their job.

In the first day of hearing of the ACTU's case before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission in Melbourne this week, major employer group the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry indicated that they would support the ACTU's push to establish maternity leave rights for casuals.

However, the Australian Hotels Association said that they will oppose the application and the Federal Government indicated that it had not yet made up its mind whether to oppose or support the application.

"This is a case of the Howard Government and workplace relations minister Tony Abbott again lining up with the radical minority," Burrow says.

"Instead of pandering to recalcitrant employer groups like the AHA, Tony Abbott should show some leadership and support basic rights for casual workers," said Ms Burrow.

If successful, the ACTU application would give unpaid maternity leave rights to all casual workers who have 12 months regular and systematic employment with the same employer.

Casual workers now make up 27 per cent of the Australian workforce up from only 13% at the beginning of the 1980's.

Under the Federal Government's workplace laws casual workers are specifically excluded from accessing maternity leave despite the fact that 60% of casual workers have worked for the same employer for more than a year.

"Mr Abbott says he wants to be minister for employees as well as employers," Burrow says. "Well he can't sit on the fence on this one. He either supports improved rights and security for casual workers and gets behind the ACTU's test case, or he sides with the recalcitrant minority of radical employers who are opposing it."

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  Issue 84 contents

Interview: Life After Wartime
After ten years representing the interests of the labour movement in Parliament, Jeff Shaw is back at the bar. And loving it.

Legal: Why the Freeloaders Should Pay
Michael Costa explains why service fees are not only fair - they are economically rational.

Organising: Young Activists Bask in Union Summer
Sydney students have spent three weeks of their summer holidays experiencing on-the-ground work with unions.

Unions: Things Are Looking Up On The Dock
After six years as a call centre worker, Marios Ellas has joined the union movement. Here's his first impressions.

History: Trades Hall � The Royal Connection
Republic, who needs it when we have the Trades Hall decreed by Royal Imprimatur? So tug your forelock as work commences to restore the building.

International: Greetings from Hong Kong
Chan Wai-Keung from the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions outlined the challenges facing Hong Kong workers.

Politics: One Nation - The Old Labor Link
The resurgence in One Nation in the WA election has the pundits again reaching for the tea-leaves. But are they pouring from the wrong pot?

Review: Elect the Ambassador
Labor frontbencher Duncan Kerr unveils his vision for a new international democracy.

Satire: Man Buys Big Issue for the Articles
A Melbourne businessman claims his recent purchase of the "Big Issue" was due to his interest in the magazine's editorial content.

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» Genetic Advances Spark New Privacy Issues

» Wentworth Twenty Emerge Victorious

» Racing Radio Makes Way for Workers� Voice

» Another Major Centre Takes Union Call

» Transport Passes Key Issue for Young Workers

» Shier Calls the Cops! - Fear and Loathing at the ABC

» BHP Contracts Battle Goes Back to the Coalface

» Newcastle Mill to be Union Project

» Government Must Lead on Casual Leave

» Della Ends Discrimination on Leave Entitlements

» Rural Safety Campaign Pays Off

» Mom Always Said � Don�t Break a Picket