ACTU - Latest News

Abbott and Liberals exposed as having no plan to close the pay gap for working women

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The pay equity gap between men and women would not be closed by a Liberal Opposition which is more interested in exploiting it to reduce the cost of its unrealistic paid parental leave scheme.

Rather than suggesting how to raise the average pay of women to the same level as men, Tony Abbott and the Liberals would prefer to keep women’s pay low to reduce the cost impact of their PPL proposal, said ACTU President Ged Kearney.

Today, the Liberals’ Finance Spokesman Andrew Robb has admitted there is a gender pay equity gap, but there is total silence from the Opposition about how to close it, Ms Kearney said.

"Across the average of men and women, men do typically earn more money." (Andrew Robb quoted on ABC Online, 27 July 2010).

“Under the former Liberal Government’s WorkChoices laws, pay inequality grew for the first time in 25 years, with cuts to real minimum wages, the removal of the award system that allowed for test cases to lift basic conditions, and the use of individual contracts,” Ms Kearney said.

“Today, as a consequence, the gender pay gap is 18%, with the average woman worker earning $239 a week less than the average male. Women earn $1 million less than men over their working lives.

“Labor’s new Fair Work laws for the first time provide an avenue for cases to be launched on pay equity grounds, and unions are currently pursuing a landmark test case to lift the pay of workers in the female-dominated social and community services sector.

“The Labor Government has been supportive of this case, but typically, Tony Abbott and the Liberals have been silent on how to close the pay gap for women.

“Despite his apparent recent conversion, Tony Abbott has a lifelong record of disdain towards the issues that matter to working women.

“He famously said a national paid parental leave scheme would only be introduced his ‘dead body’. He begrudgingly allowed Labor’s scheme to pass into law – an historic reform by the Labor Government that follows decades of campaigning by unions and women’s groups.

“Tony Abbott knows his own parental leave scheme has no chance of ever becoming reality, but he continues to mislead working women.

“Tony Abbott simply cannot be trusted by working women.”

Workers’ job and income security will be better protected under new Labor plan

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The hard-earned entitlements of working Australians who are too often left high and dry by company collapses will be more secure as a result of the Labor Government’s plan to improve the protection of entitlements and crack down on unscrupulous corporate behaviour.

The measures announced today will mean almost all workers will receive redundancy payments in full when their employer goes out of business, and dodgy company directors will be less able to rip off their workforce.

ACTU President Ged Kearney said the Government package had widened the gap between the two major parties on who was best able to secure jobs and incomes for working Australians.

Ms Kearney said Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s record in the former Howard Government reveals a callous disregard for the plight of workers who through no fault of their own are left out of their pocket because of unethical behaviour by their employer.

Ms Kearney said the Fair Entitlements Guarantee would mean that 97% of workers would receive their redundancy entitlements in full in cases where their employer went out of business without having made provisions for entitlements.

“There is nothing worse than for a worker to first lose their job, and then discover that their employer has not made provision for their entitlements to redundancy, superannuation, and leave,” Ms Kearney said.

“This is effectively theft from the pockets of workers, and unions have been leading campaigners for a better deal for workers. This type of unethical corporate behaviour was again on display during the economic downturn, and it must stop.

“The GEERS scheme was never more than a stop-gap response with major flaws that was originally designed to dig John Howard’s brother out of a hole. The Protecting Workers Entitlements package announced by the Labor Government today will be welcomed whole-heartedly by workers and unions.

It means that workers will receive a guarantee of full redundancy pay up to four weeks for every year of service, a vast improvement on GEERS, which was capped at 16 weeks.

“The changes to information about and enforcement of superannuation payments along with new powers for ASIC will act as a kind of early warning system which should allow authorities to step in to prevent directors from stealing worker entitlements before it’s too late.

“Importantly, the Government intends to crack down on the dubious practice of phoenix companies, where directors shift assets to a new company to avoid their obligations. This must be backed by strong and harsh penalties for company directors who engage in such practices.”

Ms Kearney said the Liberals could not be trusted with the job and income security of working Australians. They cannot be trusted on WorkChoices and the Liberals forfeited any credibility with their opposition to the economic stimulus package that saved more than 200,000 jobs during the GFC.

“If they Coalition had its way, thousands of Australian companies would have collapsed and unemployment would have gone through the roof.”

Clear majority of voters do not trust Tony Abbott on IR laws; new TV ads begin today

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Almost three in four Australians do not trust Tony Abbott’s statements that he would not change workplace laws if he became Prime Minister, according to a new national poll.

Research commissioned by the ACTU found that 71% of Australians do not believe Mr Abbott’s denial that he would never change the Fair Work laws.

The poll findings come as the ACTU today launches a major television advertising campaign to inform voters about the Liberals’ record on WorkChoices.

A series of advertisements will screen in all capital cities and regional areas right up until the election blackout.

The television advertising complements grassroots activity taking place in seats across the nation by the Rights at Work network of community volunteers and activists.

In a morning peak hour blitz of major railway stations in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane last week, more than 10,000 leaflets were handed to commuters to inform them about the Coalition’s industrial relations plans.

ACTU President Ged Kearney said the results of the survey conducted in recent days showed that working Australians did not trust Mr Abbott and would not be easily fooled by his constantly changing stories on industrial relations.

“Since becoming Liberal Leader, Tony Abbott has repeatedly stated he intends to bring back some of the worst aspects of the extreme WorkChoices industrial relations policies of the Howard Government.

“During this Federal Election campaign, Mr Abbott has tried to change his tune.

“But actions speak louder than words. Mr Abbott was one of John Howard’s closest confidantes in the Government that brought in WorkChoices. He has a long history of supporting individual contracts, cuts to award conditions and the power of employers to dismiss workers unfairly.

“Working Australians simply can’t trust Tony Abbott on WorkChoices.”

The research company Auspoll was commissioned by the ACTU to conduct an online survey of 1515 voters on 20 and 22 July to determine their perceptions of Tony Abbott and his impact on Australia’s IR laws should he become Prime Minister.

They were asked: Mr Abbott, when asked this week if he would ever change the industrial relations laws said “not now, not ever”. Do you believe that Mr Abbott, if he becomes Prime Minister, will never change the industrial relations laws? And 71% said they did not believe him.

Too many fatalities on the waterfront; unions call for urgent taskforce to improve safety

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Workplace safety on Australian waterfronts must be overhauled to stem the mounting death toll among stevedoring workers.

Three deaths and a spate of serious injuries and near misses in a little over six months is not good enough and suggests that waterfront deregulation has reduced safety, said ACTU President Ged Kearney.

At memorial services today, unions around Australia are joining their colleagues in the Maritime Union of Australia in remembering the waterside workers who have been killed on the job in recent years.

The most recent death is that of Stephen Piper, who was killed in a work accident on Melbourne’s Appleton Dock on 14 July. His funeral service is being held today.

Ms Kearney said the waterfront remained one of the most dangerous workplaces in Australia, despite major productivity improvements.

“The growing death toll among stevedoring workers – eight in the past seven years – has to be stopped,” Ms Kearney said.

Australia’s wharves are busier than ever yet there are weaknesses in the underlying safety culture of the industry that stem in part from the deregulation of stevedoring that occurred during the Howard Government years.

“Deregulation and casualisation of the stevedoring workforce has had an impact on skill levels and training, competency standards, and the way work is structured.

“Maritime workers report that there is also inconsistency of approaches to safety management and safety practice.”

Ms Kearney said the ACTU backed the MUA’s call for an urgent and high-level national stevedoring safety task force to investigate what needs to be done to improve waterfront safety.

“Every worker should be able to go to work at the beginning of the day secure in the knowledge that they will return to their family unscathed,” Ms Kearney said.

“We need to lift workplace health and safety standards for all workers, not reduce them.”

New climate change plan will protect jobs and create opportunities for local industry

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Tens of thousands of Australian jobs will be better protected and the future of our energy sector and broader economy will be more secure as a result of the Labor Government’s climate change plan.

ACTU president Ged Kearney welcomed Labor’s move to support businesses that begin to reduce emissions ahead of a price on carbon and said this would provide greater certainty for planning and investment in key industries.

“The reality is there will need to be a change in the way we use energy in the long-term – acting now is the best way to minimise the impact on workers across the economy by helping new clean energy industries to grow and existing industries to modernise their processes,” Ms Kearney said.

“The fact is that the Coalition continues to oppose meaningful climate change action and has run a disgraceful campaign of misinformation. That means we do need to build a new community consensus on the issue.
“Having a forum to do that is a worthwhile initiative and unions look forward to being actively involved.”

Tony Maher, ACTU Climate Change Convenor and Federal President of the CFMEU said new measures to require power stations to control their carbon emissions would send a signal that the future of power generation is in low emission technologies.

“This emissions standard is a start and provides a level of certainty to both industry and the market that the government will take the steps required to address climate change,” Mr Maher said.

“In contrast the Coalition is slashing spending on Carbon Capture and Storage programs.

“The reality is this election offers a stark choice between a party taking action to transform the energy sector and a party who threatens it by denying that climate change exists.

“Unions have long argued that the biggest threat to jobs is to deny climate change is occurring – but that is precisely what the Coalition is doing.

“In contrast Labor has renewed its commitment to the environment and a cleaner economy and is taking the first steps toward establishing a combination of regulation and carbon price to control carbon pollution.”

Media contacts
Hamish Quinn 0423 375 522
Tony Maher 0418 286 735

Liberals can do much more than ‘tweak’ Fair Work laws and can’t be trusted

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Community volunteers will take to the streets of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane this morning in a blitz to inform morning commuters of the almost 200 ways in which Tony Abbott could change Fair Work laws and allow aspects of WorkChoices to be slipped in through the back door.

Volunteers will hand out leaflets to morning commuters at major railway stations as part of a campaign to inform the public about the Coalition’s industrial relations plans. Stations to be targeted are Martin Place in Sydney, Flinders Street in Melbourne, and Roma Street in Brisbane.

None of these would involve legislation, and they make a mockery of Mr Abbott’s claim that WorkChoices is “dead, buried and cremated”, says the ACTU.

ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence said an analysis of the Fair Work laws had uncovered 198 separate sections which would allow the Government to make changes impacting on working Australians without the approval of Parliament.

“Tony Abbott simply can’t be trusted not to make substantial changes to workplace rights,” Mr Lawrence said. “You just have to look at his track record. WorkChoices is in his DNA.

“At the stroke of a pen, Tony Abbott could reduce unfair dismissal protections for small business employees, reduce minimum conditions in modern awards or enterprise agreements, and cut their entitlements to redundancy payments.

“With 198 possible changes to the Fair Work laws that can be made through regulations, you have to wonder just how much ‘tweaking’ Tony Abbott and the Liberals intend to do.

“We are only a couple of days into the election campaign, and Tony Abbott has already broken his promise that he would not be making any legislative changes to laws governing workplaces.

“His proposal to cut funding for Australian Electoral Commission oversight of union elections would require rewriting to the Fair Work laws and seriously curtail democracy in the workplace. This shows again that Mr Abbott’s campaign promises change like the wind, and he cannot be trusted.”

Labor’s schools-based apprenticeships welcome while Liberals are asleep at the wheel

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Young Australians will have better opportunities to get an apprenticeship and pursue a career in the traditional trades as a result of the Labor Government’s plan to improve skills and trades training in our schools.

These measures will mean more young Australians getting good jobs as carpenters, electricians, plumbers and other trades.

ACTU President Ged Kearney said in this election only one party seemed to have a plan to tackle Australia’s future skills challenges with new investment in schools-based apprenticeships and on-the-job training.

By contrast, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s only contribution to the skills debate has been discontinue the Productivity Places Program and the Trade Training Centres Program in his obsession with cutting government spending.

Ms Kearney said the creation of a new National Trade Cadetship and support for 50,000 additional work experience places recognised the importance of building a skilled trades workforce for the future.

“The Howard-Costello government damaged the economy through its neglect of skills and trades training,” Ms Kearney said. “The last Liberal Government was oblivious to the need to develop skills to prepare the national economy for future growth, and the result was a $9 billion skills shortage that Labor is making headway to address.

“These two new announcements over the past couple of days will build on the $661 million of investment in the May Budget to create more than 60,000 new training places and apprenticeships and boost the literacy and numeracy skills of adult job seekers.

“A major effort is required to boost the number of young people commencing and completing apprenticeships and research shows the value of first giving young people strong foundation skills and a taste of what lies ahead.

“The National Trade Cadetships will provide young people interested in a trades career a clear early pathway through which they can build their skills and get some practical experience and exposure to the workplace. Importantly, the cadetships will give young people a nationally recognised qualification that provides credit towards an apprenticeship and further training.

“Unions are also pleased to see the role given to group training organisations to identify work placement opportunities with local employers. They have a proven track record in this type of work and their involvement will reduce the burden on schools to do this themselves.

“By cutting funding to the Productivity Places Program and Trade Training Centres in our schools, Tony Abbott will deny millions of young Australians the opportunity to have a career in the traditional trades.”

Photo by Sue Adams

Abbott’s “tweaks” leave back door open for worst of WorkChoices to return

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The worst of WorkChoices could return to Australian workplaces through changes to regulations and ‘tweaks’ that do not require legislative amendment.

Liberal leader Tony Abbott’s statement that changes to regulations will not bring back WorkChoices are deceptive and misleading says ACTU President Ged Kearney.

The fact is that two million workers could lose protection from unfair dismissal through changes to the ‘Small Business Fair Dismissal Code’ said Ms Kearney.

“Other changes to regulations could effectively reintroduce individual contracts for millions of workers.

“This would mean cuts to workers’ take home pay and basic award conditions such as overtime pay, penalty rates, public holiday pay, allowances and leave loading — the same as occurred under WorkChoices.

“Tony Abbott is trying to be too clever by half by attempting to make Australians believe he won’t bring back WorkChoices.

“The truth is there is enormous scope for the Coalition to alter the operation of the Fair Work Act simply by regulation.

“He has left a back door open for the return of WorkChoices.

“Without an absolute guarantee in relation to the legislation as well as the regulations and other Ministerial powers, Australian working people can have no confidence that a Liberal Government would not return to WorkChoices.

“A preliminary analysis by the ACTU shows there are at least 198 separate sections in the Fair Work Act and the three related Acts which enable the Minister to enact changes by regulation. (A selection of these are shown overleaf)

“Many of these would severely curtail the rights of millions of working Australians.

“The Liberals have tried this sort of action before. The Howard Government, prior to having a Senate majority, attempted to change regulations so as to strip unfair dismissal rights from a large number of Australian employees, only to be frustrated by the then Senate.

“Mr Abbott should be judged on what he and his Party did when they were in government not on meaningless scraps of paper signed during media interviews.

“When the Coalition was last in power they secretly brought in WorkChoices and did all they could to deprive working Australians of their rights.

“WorkChoices is what the Liberals believe in, so why would working people think they would do otherwise if they are elected?”

List of possible Regulation Changes
Potential changes to regulations by the Coalition that will effectively bring back the worst aspects of WorkChoices and reduce rights at work (selected list):

Modify the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code provided for by section 388 of the Act, so as to reduce or remove the unfair dismissal protections for up to two million employees of small business;
Make Regulations under sections 127 or 129 of the Act to permit Modern Awards or Enterprise Agreements to include terms that are contrary to the National Employment Standards allowing reductions in minimum conditions;
Make Regulations under sections 22(2)(c) or 22(4)(a)(ii) to exclude periods of employment from counting towards an employee’s period of service (e.g. for purpose of calculating redundancy pay);
Make Regulations under sections 127 or 129 of the Fair Work Act 2009 to prohibit terms being included in Modern Awards or Enterprise Agreements which may remove workers’ job conditions;
Amend or repeal Regulation 1.04 of the Fair Work Regulations 2009 (“the Regulations”) to restrict the definition of “designated outworker terms” for the purposes of section 12 of the Fair Work Act;
Amend the definitions contained in Regulation 1.07 of the Regulations, to allow employers to avoid the obligation to pay Notice or Redundancy pay;
Make any further regulations for the purposes of section 178(3) of the Fair Work Act (“the Act”) to introduce further restrictions or controls on the qualification or appointment of Bargaining Representatives for agreement negotiations;
Modify the Model Flexibility Term prescribed in the Regulations pursuant to section 202(5) of the Act to increase the number of conditions of employment susceptible to individual negotiation;
Modify the Notice of Representational Rights prescribed by the Regulations, or the means by it may be given to employees under Regulation 2.04;
Modify or repeal Regulation 2.13 of the Regulations, which sets out the High Income Threshold for the purposes of section 333 of the Act, to reduce award coverage or unfair dismissal protection;
Make any regulation or other law as referred to in section 342(c) of the Act to reduce the scope of actions which constitute “Adverse Action” for the purposes of the General Protections provisions;
Modify or repeal regulation 3.01 or 6.04 of the Regulations to reduce unlawful dismissal protections for workers who are suffering from an illness or an injury;
Modify the Regulations to increase the application fees payable by workers or their representatives making applications to Fair Work Australia in relation to Unfair Dismissal or contravention of the General Protections;
Make Regulations under section 437(6) of the Act to create more onerous requirements on the making of an application for a protected action ballot;
Modify Regulations made under Division 9 of Part 3-3 of the Act dealing with payment for protected industrial action constituted by partial work bans;
Modify or make any further regulations under section 492(4), section 494(3) or section 521 or concerning the rights of employees to have access to representation at work or advice in relation to Health and Safety laws;
Make Regulations under section 534(1)(h) of the Act to provide exemptions in relation to the requirement to notify Centrelink of and consult with Unions regarding redundancies.
Modify or repeal any Regulations made under Division 3 of Part 3-6 of the Act regarding the content of Employee Records and Payslips.
Modify the Model Dispute Settlement term provided by the Regulations for the purposes of section 737 of the Act.
Make regulations under section 28 of the Act to exclude the operation of any further State and Territory Laws that protect workers rights in certain States; and
Make or modify Regulations under section 31-34 of the Act that would exclude the Act from applying to particular categories of workers and giving them rights and protections.

Abbott’s slash and burn approach to the economy would jeopardise the recovery and jobs

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Tony Abbott’s plan to slash a further $1 billion from public spending would send the economy in a dangerous direction and threaten thousands of jobs for working Australians.

ACTU President Ged Kearney said the spending cuts announced by the Coalition today go far beyond bureaucratic tinkering and would jeopardise future economic growth.

“Australia’s economic recovery is on track with strong jobs growth predicted over the next few years,” Ms Kearney said.

“This is due to the Labor Government’s successful management of the economy during the global financial crisis, which put jobs first and created a platform for future growth.

“But Mr Abbott’s obsession with cutting spending would put the jobs and living standards of working families at risk.

“Apart from his determination to bring back the worst aspects of WorkChoices on the sly, Mr Abbott’s only economic policy appears to be to reverse the strategy that has successfully helped Australia avoid recession and preserved more than 200,000 jobs.

“On all the issues that are important for working Australians, Tony Abbott is missing in action. He has no plan for jobs, no plan for skills and education, no plan for climate change, and no plan for infrastructure.

“The Liberals have from day one opposed measures to stimulate the economy, which were instrumental in saving and creating more than 350,000 jobs over the past year and preventing Australia from going into recession, and they would cut jobs and public services in government.

“They will oppose the increase super guarantee to 12 per cent, denying many workers financial security in retirement. They will abandon the National Broadband Network and other essential infrastructure projects that are essential to drive future prosperity and economic growth.

“They would also cut health, education and other public services, including GP Superclinics, trade training centres in schools and funding to skills development.

“And they are set to dump direct action on climate change, including the Green Building Fund and research into carbon capture and storage.

“Australian unions are determined to make sure the public is aware of what Mr Abbott’s dangerous plans would mean for their living standards.”

At a meeting in Melbourne today, Australian unions have discussed a comprehensive campaign to protect against a return to WorkChoices and ensure stronger collective bargaining rights for all working Australians.

Unions have also discussed an agenda for the nation that would build on the gains achieved for working people under the Labor Government, including more superannuation, paid parental leave and greater investment in workforce skills, infrastructure, in health and in education.

Abbott is changing his tune on WorkChoices just to ‘win an election’: can’t be trusted

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Liberal leader Tony Abbott’s stated position on the reintroduction of WorkChoices changes from minute to minute and shows working Australians cannot trust anything he says.

Under questioning on the ABC AM program today, Tony Abbott changed his position on workplace relations from the one he outlined last Saturday which was different again from his May Budget Reply speech.

Mr Abbott also this morning admitted on the Ch9 Today Show that it was because he had ‘an election to win’ that he was changing his tune on WorkChoices.

On 3AW today Mr Abbott also refused to guarantee there would not be changes to workplace relations if he is elected.

ACTU President Ged Kearney said Tony Abbott was flip-flopping on workplace relations because he is desperate to cover up his real intentions.

“Tony Abbott wants to bring back as much of WorkChoices as he can get away with.

“But he cannot pull the wool over the public’s eyes when it comes to the Coalition’s track record.

“Mr Abbott should be judged on what he and his Party did when they were in government.

“We know that when the Coalition was last in power they secretly brought in WorkChoices and did all they could to deprive working Australians of their rights.

“Deregulation of labour market that gives employers more power is what the Liberals believe in, so why would working people think they would do otherwise if they are elected?”

“Under the Coalition we would see a repeat of WorkChoices, with the reintroduction of individual contracts that cut workers’ take home pay and the removal of protection from unfair dismissal.

“Mr Abbott and the Liberals are also on the record as wanting to cut the minimum conditions for young workers and cuts to public holiday pay and other basic job conditions.

“Many changes that will hurt working Australians can be made through regulations, Ministerial directions or other avenues.

“The Coalition simply cannot be trusted on workplace relations.

“We know exactly what the Coalition will do if elected – it will be WorkChoices by another name,” said Ms Kearney

Tony Abbott admits workers will be worse off from Coalition’s IR plans

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Tony Abbott’s refusal to guarantee no worker would be worse off under a Coalition government is a further sign he will bring back WorkChoices.

Rather than being dead and buried, WorkChoices is set to be cloned and brought to life if Tony Abbott is elected said ACTU President Ged Kearney.

Ms Kearney said the Liberals are trying to con the Australian public and should be judged on their actions not on what they say now that an election has been called.

“Everyone knows what the Coalition did when they were last in government.

“They brought in WorkChoices without telling the Australian public.

“The Coalition gave employers the power to push down wages, cut basic job conditions and unfairly sack people.

“They still believe in WorkChoices and will bring it back as soon as they can.

“Tony Abbott has already admitted that you can’t always trust what he says and yesterday he was exposed by his own workplace relations spokesperson as again being dishonest.

“Senior Liberal Eric Abetz admitted there would be back door changes to Labor’s Fair Work IR system.

“Repeatedly this year Mr Abbott has said he will give employers greater ‘flexibility’.

“On national television earlier this year Tony Abbott spelt out in clear terms the key elements of the industrial relations policy the Liberal Party will take to this year’s Federal election, including a return to individual contracts and cuts to unfair dismissal protection.

“Mr Abbott has extreme views on a range of issues including workplace relations.

“He is still wedded to Howard-era policies and cannot be trusted by working Australians.

“Mr Abbott’s industrial relations policies would take Australia backwards and unions are determined to make sure this does not happen,” said Ms Kearney.

Rights for working Australians is key issue for 2010 election

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

This federal election is about the rights of all working Australians and the threat of a future return to WorkChoices under the Coalition.

Australian unions welcome the announcement today by Prime Minister Julia Gillard of a federal election on August 21, said ACTU President Ged Kearney.

Ms Kearney said the 2010 election will be a referendum on the rights of people to have job security and decent working conditions.

“In this election working Australians have a clear choice between the Coalition which brought in WorkChoices and Labor which restored rights and protected jobs during the Global Financial Crisis.

“Unions will be campaigning in the election to ensure working Australians know the facts about the Coalition’s record of attacking workers’ rights and putting jobs and services for working families at risk.

“Australia’s economy is the best-performing in the developed world and 1000 new jobs a week have been created since the end of WorkChoices and the introduction of Labor’s Fair Work laws.

“Real wages have grown with low paid workers gaining a $26 a week pay increase and productivity is almost four times higher than under the Liberals’ last year in government.

“The Labor Government deserves credit for making a very solid start considering the difficulties of the GFC and working Australians and unions will expect more from its next term.

“The election of a Tony Abbott government will hurt working families.

“The Coalition opposes stimulus measures that are protecting hundreds of thousands of jobs and will cut government funding for jobs, infrastructure and important health and education services that families rely upon.

“The Coalition will abandon the National Broadband Network and other infrastructure projects and skills programs that are essential to drive national productivity.

“Workers will also be denied financial security in retirement by the Coalition’s refusal to support Labor’s move to increase national superannuation to 12%," said Ms Kearney.

Coalition and WorkChoices pose big risks to jobs and Australia’s economic recovery

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The biggest clouds on the horizon for working Australians are Tony Abbott’s plans to change the economic policy directions of the country and bring back the worst aspects of WorkChoices.

Australia’s economy is outperforming the rest of the developed world because of good management by the Labor Government and industrial stability from the Fair Work Act, but this would all be put at risk by the Coalition, said ACTU President Ged Kearney.

Ms Kearney said more than 350,000 jobs were created over the past year, coinciding with the end of WorkChoices, and another 475,000 were forecast over the next two years.

But the reintroduction of WorkChoices and savage cuts to public services and infrastructure investment under the Coalition would jeopardise all that, Ms Kearney said.

She said the Labor Government’s economic record was in stark contrast to the Coalition’s plans.

“Last year as the Global Financial Crisis threatened Australia, the Government took tough decisions that protected jobs and set a platform for the recovery,” Ms Kearney said.

“Yesterday’s updated economic statement from Treasury gives working Australians cause for optimism for the next few years.

“The Labor Government’s Budget provides for investment in national infrastructure, skills and training, productivity and participation, better healthcare, and long-term improvements to national savings.

“Australia’s public debt is lower than almost all developed economies, and the Budget will be back in surplus within three years.

“The Liberal alternative would hurt working families.

“Tony Abbott opposes measures to stimulate the economy, will cut jobs and public services and is refusing to increase superannuation. The Liberals will also abandon the National Broadband Network and wind back other key infrastructure projects.

“His main economic policy is to bring back WorkChoices by another name.”

Labor’s strong record on jobs and the economy contrasts with the Coalition’s return to WorkChoices

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Today’s economic statement from the Federal Government confirms that Australia’s recovery is on track with 475,000 new jobs to be created over the next two years.

The ACTU said that the Labor Government’s economic record is in stark contrast to the Coalition’s plan to cut jobs and services and to bring back WorkChoices.

ACTU President Ged Kearney said the updated forecasts showed the dividends for working Australians from the Labor Government’s successful management of the economy throughout the Global Financial Crisis.

“Despite global economic uncertainty, employment in Australia has strongly rebounded from last year’s downturn and the jobless rate has defied predictions,” Ms Kearney said.

“In took years for employment to recover after the recessions of the 1980s and 1990s, but we have already seen 353,000 new jobs in the past year and no signs of that slowing down.

“Australia’s recovery from the GFC is the envy of the advanced world and the Government’s actions have directly led to this rapid turnaround in our fortunes.

“Economic growth of 3% this financial year and 4% in 2011-12 and unemployment to fall below 5% next year give us every reason to be optimistic about the future. As employment grows, we expect to see higher workforce participation and a reduction in underemployment.

“We shouldn’t forget that these strong domestic projections for economic growth and employment come at the same time as signs have emerged in the United States and Europe that the pallid recovery globally could continue for some time yet.

“The economic stimulus program prevented Australia from sliding into recession and this year’s Budget has created a platform for future growth.

“The Budget provided for investment in national infrastructure, skills and training, productivity and participation, better healthcare, and long-term improvements to national savings.”

Ms Kearney said unions had welcomed resolution of the Minerals Resource Rent Tax, which will fund an increase in superannuation to 12% along with other reforms to boost national retirement savings, and investment in much-needed infrastructure for regional communities.

“Today’s economic statement confirms Australia’s public debt is lower than almost all developed economies, and the Budget will be back in surplus within three years.

“The Liberal alternative would hurt working families. Tony Abbott opposes measures to stimulate the economy, promises to cut jobs and public services and refuses to support an increase in superannuation. His main economic policy is to bring back WorkChoices by another name.”

Minimum hours decision confirms award safety net; now Abbott and the Liberals must do the same

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

More than 2 million Australian casual workers have had their wages protected after a tribunal decision to maintain a minimum three-hour call out in the retail sector.

The challenge is now there for Liberal leader Tony Abbott to rule out scrapping basic standards in awards, such as a minimum start, says the ACTU.

Unions welcome today’s decision by Fair Work Australia to reject an application from retail employers to vary the Modern Retail Award by reducing the minimum start.

ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence said the minimum call-out was an essential safety net condition to ensure all casual workers were paid a decent wage.

“Today’s decision has confirmed the importance of the award safety net that is in place to protect all workers,” Mr Lawrence said.

“Losing a guarantee of minimum hours of work would have put at risk the income and job security of 2.5 million Australian workers who are employed casually. A minimum call of three hours exists in many awards, and ensures that people are not called in for short shifts.

“Minimum hours are an important safety net condition for all workers and act in awards like a minimum rate of pay. Young workers in the retail sector are paid as little as $8.89 an hour under the Modern Retail Award and it is not a major cost for employers to allow them minimum hours.

“If employers want more flexibility, particularly for their junior staff, they should be looking at negotiating enterprise agreements with their employees. Instead, they are using it as an excuse to undermine all workers’ rights in the retail industry.

“These conditions were designed to protect people such as working mothers, who have costs including travel and childcare to think of and it is unreasonable to expect them to attend a shift for as little as half an hour, especially at short notice. Under WorkChoices, employers particularly in the retail sector used individual contracts to strip away conditions such as minimum hours.”

ACTU President Ged Kearney said Opposition Leader Tony Abbott had backed the right of employers to dictate hours without any regard to a safety net, and he should now change his position. Mr Abbott said on radio (3AW Neil Mitchell Show, 17 February 2010) that he would scrap the requirement for casuals to be paid for a minimum shift and that he couldn’t guarantee other basic employment standards would not be axed.

“The Liberals have already had one go at destroying the award safety net system – that was called WorkChoices,” Ms Kearney said.

“Mr Abbott has a preference for individual contracts over awards or collective agreements and given the chance would abolish awards all together. Working Australians cannot afford the risk of going back to WorkChoices.”

Unions call for politicians to stay calm on asylum seekers and maintain humane approach

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Australia must not deviate from a refugee policy that is humanitarian, compassionate, and pays respect to international law.

The ACTU said that this year’s federal election must not be allowed to revisit the dark days of the Howard Government by becoming a race to the bottom over refugees and asylum seekers.

While Australia has a right to protect its borders and manage an orderly immigration program, asylum seekers should not become a political football, said ACTU President Ged Kearney.

Ms Kearney said unions welcomed the lifting of the suspension on the processing of Sri Lankan refugee claims.

Unions note that the Government is in talks with other countries about hosting regional processing centres. Unions are yet to be convinced this is appropriate or necessary. Care must be taken to ensure Australia’s international obligations are not breached.

“Unions strongly reject any attempt to demonise asylum seekers for political gain,” she said. “Migration – including the humanitarian and refugee program – has played a great role in Australia’s growth and prosperity and will continue to do so.

“Australia has long been seen as a safe haven from troublespots, war zones and persecution around the world, and Australians are regarded as compassionate and generous people willing to provide shelter to vulnerable people seeking protection. This is something of which we should be proud.

“We cannot allow our nation to be driven down a path of division and conflict in which asylum seekers become the victims.”

ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence said unions have long supported a rational and informed public debate about immigration, population and asylum seekers based on facts.

“Politicians have a responsibility not to inflame division or misrepresent the facts, and to show leadership to counter views that would demonise asylum seekers or abrogate Australia’s international obligations,” he said.

“The facts are that Australia’s current refugee intake of about 13,750 a year is small by international standards and forms less than 10% of our total permanent migration intake. Boat arrivals deemed to be refugees make up an even smaller proportion of that – less than 2% of all migrants to Australia.

“The security situations in Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are constantly changing, and the Government must release all the information available.

“Australia has a responsibility under the international Refugee Convention to assess the claims of any asylum seekers who arrive on our shores.

“If their claims are unsuccessful or their country of origin is deemed safe, Australia has a right to seek their return. But genuine refugees should be accepted and entitled to the same rights as other Australian residents.”

Cooper Review endorses not-for-profit, low fee industry superannuation model

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Unions have welcomed proposed reforms to superannuation that would give more workers security in retirement through lower fees and simpler super funds.

The Cooper Review has made important recommendations to protect and enhance the superannuation savings of millions of Australian workers, said the ACTU.

It means that along with the proposed increase in super contributions to 12%, working Australians would have tens of thousands more dollars in their savings accounts when they retire, said ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence.

“We’re very pleased that the final report of the Cooper Review has recommended the MySuper proposal which picks up the broad-based, low-fee model that unions and industry super funds have pursued for several decades,” Mr Lawrence said.

“Fees and other unnecessary commissions and charges imposed by retail funds erode the savings of too many workers’ leaving them with less to retire on than they should be entitled to.

“Unions welcome that the Cooper Review has in effect endorsed the low fee, not-for-profit model of industry super through its recommendation of a default MySuper product.

“Funds that are not-for-profit, do not pay commissions to financial planners, have lower average fees and a balanced portfolio are the most appropriate default vehicle for providing an adequate retirement income.

“The super fund choice model adopted by the Howard Government has been a failure for working Australians who are confused by the range of products on offer and the lack of disclosure and transparency provided.

“Australians want to be members of a fund that provides good returns, low fees and effective service. MySuper, with industry funds remaining as the default, would deliver this.”

Mr Lawrence said that along with the planned increase in superannuation contributions to 12%, working Australians and their families were set to benefit from two major reforms to over coming years that would allow them to retire with tens of thousands of dollars more.

“The Labor Government has proposed important reforms to address the inadequacy of retirement savings after total inaction during a decade of Coalition government,” Mr Lawrence said.

“Last week’s deal with the mining industry over the resources rent tax has secured improvements to superannuation, including the planned rise of contributions from 9% to 12% and a government contribution for low-income earners.

“These changes would mean tens of thousands of dollars more in retirement for workers. The only thing standing in the way is Tony Abbott and the Liberal Party, whose blanket opposition to a fair share for all is jeopardising better retirement for working Australians.”

Resource tax changes will ensure a fairer share of Australia’s mineral wealth for all

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Better superannuation for all workers and more infrastructure for regional communities are closer to being secured following today’s deal between the Federal Government and big mining companies over the resources tax.

Unions welcome the announcement of an agreement and now urge the mining industry to end its misleading campaign over the tax.

ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence said it was pleasing that improvements to superannuation, including the increase from 9% to 12%, had been maintained in the outcome of negotiations between the government and big mining companies.

“Big mining companies have been making mega profits out of Australia’s natural resources and must pay their fair share of tax and put something back into the community,” Mr Lawrence said.

“The changes announced today will ensure that the wealth generated by the resources boom benefits all Australians through better superannuation and more infrastructure for regional areas.

“The mining industry has a clear capacity to pay more tax. Profits have grown by 530% - eight times wages – over the past decade.

“The mining lobby’s scare campaign has been shameful, but the government has shown a willingness to negotiate to achieve a consensus. The industry must now end their malicious campaign and accept it has to pay its fair share of tax.

“And just as importantly, Tony Abbott and the Liberals must get out of the way and not oppose the Minerals Resource Rent Tax when the legislation is introduced to Parliament. To do so would be to deny working Australians and regional communities improved super and infrastructure.”

Mr Lawrence said it had been important that proposed improvements to superannuation and regional infrastructure were not impacted by any changes to the resources rent tax, and if there was any reduced revenue, it should have been at the cost of reductions to business taxes.

“Big business has gained some concessions from the recent negotiations, so it is only right that business should bear the cost of the forecast decline in revenue,” he said.

“The proposed increase to 12% superannuation is essential to provide adequate retirement incomes and strengthen the national economy as it faces the challenges of an ageing population.

“And communities in regional Australia – particularly in mining areas – are crying out for new infrastructure such as roads, schools, and hospitals.

Mr Lawrence said unions looked forward to further tax reform by the Federal Government in response to the Henry review.

“The tax system needs to be fairer by closing loopholes, tax avoidance strategies and excessive tax concessions for the wealthy, and removing disincentives of high effective marginal tax rates for low-income earners entering the workforce,” Mr Lawrence said.

Stand firm on gains for workers and local communities from mining tax, urge unions

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Australian businesses should bear the cost of any compromise with the mining lobby over the new resources tax, not workers and local communities.

Cuts to business taxes should be reduced or abandoned if revenue from the proposed mining tax is substantially less than initially forecast.

The ACTU and mining unions say any changes to the proposed Resource Super Profits Tax must preserve revenues needed to help fund the increase in superannuation from 9% to 12% and the improvements in infrastructure, especially in mining communities.

These are much-needed reforms that will benefit all Australians, said ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence.

“Big mining companies making mega profits out of Australia’s natural resources must pay their fair share of tax and put something back into the community,” Mr Lawrence said.

“The RSPT makes economic sense and will be good for working Australians.

“The Gillard Government has shown a willingness to engage in meaningful and good faith negotiations with the mining industry to achieve a consensus on the tax.

“This may result in some changes to the new tax.

“But the bottom line must be that revenues intended for increased superannuation and regional infrastructure must not be put at risk.

“The proposed increase to 12% superannuation is essential to provide adequate retirement incomes and strengthen the national economy as it faces the challenges of an ageing population.

“And communities in regional Australia – particularly in mining areas – are crying out for new infrastructure such as roads, schools, and hospitals.”

“Workers in the mining sector are sick and tired of seeing multinational companies making billions of dollars of profits, but not paying their fair share of tax,” Mr Lawrence said.

“They especially want to see more put into their local communities.”

Mr Lawrence said new official data on job vacancies had ripped the credibility out of the mining lobby’s hysterical claims that the RSPT would cost jobs and undermine the industry.

“The mining industry was trying to hire 6200 workers in May – after the tax had been announced,” Mr Lawrence said.

“They’d hardly be doing that if they truly believed the RSPT was going to ruin the industry. Their multi-million dollar, misleading scare campaign has been shameful.

“Their opposition to this tax is further proof that big business and the Liberals will always side against a fair go for working Australians.”

New ACTU President Ged Kearney

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

New ACTU President Gerardine (Ged) Kearney takes office today.

Ms Kearney replaces Sharan Burrow, who last week was elected General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation.

Ms Kearney has been a member of the ACTU Executive since April 2008, when she was elected Federal Secretary of the Australian Nursing Federation.

ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence said he looked forward to working with Ms Kearney to advance the union movement’s agenda in the lead-up to the federal election later this year.

“Everyone at the ACTU welcomes Ged aboard to continue the work that is well underway to prevent a return to WorkChoices under Tony Abbott and to deliver on our agenda to improve the lives of working Australians and their families,” Mr Lawrence said.

Ms Kearney said she was honoured to be entrusted with such an important role.

“I am committed to representing the interests of working Australians and to making sure their voices are heard in public debates over our nation’s future,” she said.

“I intend to work with all unions, big and small, to put our agenda into action, grow the movement and achieve positive change for workers and their families.”

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