MANDATE FOR FAIRNESS MUST NOT BE BLOCKED

28 January 2009

SA Unions will tell a Senate Inquiry into the Fair Work Bill that the Liberals, who lost federal power over their awful WorkChoices law, must not stymie Labor's mandate to reinstate fairness to industrial relations.

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says the Fair Work Bill, which goes a long way towards restoring people's rights at work, must be supported by the Opposition in both Houses.

"WorkChoices hit hard in the good times.  It will hit even worse in the bad times.  That's why it simply has to go."

"Workers need better protection - especially those must vulnerable such as young workers, women and the low paid.  With possible recession looming and job security uncertain, it is vital that fairness be restored immediately", Ms Giles says.

SA's own inquiry into workplace laws last year found that some groups were affected more than others - and amongst those to bear the brunt of WorkChoices were the young and vulnerable.  These workers need the protection of the strongest possible work laws at the federal and state level."

SA Unions submission to the Senate Inquiry also calls for the maintenance of our state industrial jurisdiction.

"We believe in a strong national system of laws with the ability for the states to negotiate any changes.  This would provide a fair system which takes into account the specific industrial needs of each state.  Prior to the Frankenstein monster-like WorkChoices laws, South Australia had one of the best industrial system in the nation; big on harmony, small on strikes and with excellent productivity.  That's what we should be striving for again."

"We also believe that it's vitally important in times of uncertainty that workers have access to support and advocacy.  The new Fair Work laws must guarantee workers' rights to union representation and for the to bargain on their behalf. It's when times are toughest that people most need help.  Winding back those elements of WorkChoices that sought to exclude unions from workplaces and deny people the right to choose union representation must be a priority", Ms Giles says.