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ECUMENICAL
SERVICE PRAYS FOR WORKERS
27 June 2006
The leaders of the Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran and Uniting churches have combined in spiritual solidarity to pray for the rights of South Australian workers.
SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says she feels humbled and heartened by the extent of community support for workers doing it tough.
"Churches and other leading community organisations have recognised the challenges facing workers who are struggling to survive, and have sprung to their support", Ms Giles says.
"The joint prayer for fairness and justice for workers is an inspiration and comfort to all workers, regardless of their personal beliefs."
"The churches are important community leaders in times of need. We are in a time of need now, as the new federal industrial laws create hardship for workers and their families. SA Unions stands united with the churches and shares their commitment to justice for the poor - especially as it is the poorest workers who are hardest hit by these changes."
Anglican Archbishop Jeffrey Driver, Catholic Archbishop Philip Wilson, Uniting Church Moderator Graham Vawser, Lutheran Community Care Director, Colleen Fitzpatrick and Baptist Union Leader, Reverend Carl Aiken also lit 18 candles in memory of the South Australian workers who have lost their lives in workplace accidents in the past year.
Attorney General Michael Atkinson, Employment Minister Paul Caica, and Elizabeth McClintock from VOID (Voices of Industrial Death) also spoke.
Ms Giles says federal laws are reducing workplace safety by compromising occupational health and safety training. Under the new laws, workers fear being sacked if they speak out about safety concerns. SA Unions will continue to campaign for tougher state laws to try to deliver safe work places and stop the awful sacrifice of lives in the pursuit of profit.
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