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ACTU President Sharan Burrow said that the ACTU was committed to a long-term campaign against the preposed changes to the industrial relations laws, which if passed would reduce employee rights and remove unfair dismissal protections.

The Governments laws will strip away rights at work, they will drive down wages and remove core conditions such as penalty rates, overtime and the right to unfair dismissal protection.

These laws are going to hurt Australian workers and their families. They will force workers onto individual contracts that will undermine awards and reduce take home pay.

The fact is that many families are only just keeping their heads above water and losing their rights at work is going to have a devastating impact on their lives, Ms Burrow said.

The ACTU and Australian unions today launched a new set of television advertisements and commenced a new round of national television advertising to highlight the effect the changes to the industrial changes legislation will have on Australian working families.

The ACTU and our affiliates are committed to a long term campaign. The changes the Federal Government is proposing represent a very significant threat to Australian workers and their families and we are determined to continue to educate Australians on the real impact of this legislation, Ms Burrow said.

ACTU TV Advertisements - Background

Working Mum

Suzi is 35 years old and worked as a clerk at a local wholesale company for over a year.

Suzis working hours were between 10am and 4pm which suited her childcare arrangements.

Suzy's employer asked her to extend her hours to 5pm. When she said she couldn't because of the high cost of after school care, Suzy was told she had to do the extended hours or leave. She refused and was dismissed.

If her unfair dismissal rights are removed like the Federal Government is proposing it could cost Suzi up to $30,000 to take a case for unlawful termination to the Federal Court. Money Suzi and her family simply dont have.

Footy Dad

Ross works at a large retail outlet. He was offered a new AWA individual contract at work.

The new contract would remove Rosss entitlement to penalty rates and overtime and tried to get him to agree to cash out 2 of his 4 weeks annual leave.

The boss also tried to change his hours to work on Friday nights and Saturday.

Ross's wife works on Friday night and he has to look after the kids. He also coaches an under 12 football team on Saturdays. He tried to talk to his boss about, but his boss just said "If you don't want the job, there are plenty of blokes who do."

Young Worker

Sarah works at a fast food outlet and has just been offered a new AWA individual contract. Under the new contract she no longer receives penalty rates for weekend or late night shifts. Her pay would be cut by more than $1,000 a year.

Sarah explains that she is still doing the same job, and that she is confused as to why this is happening to her. Sarahs father is sitting with her, and exclaims that the system is stuffed.

For more information:

Second Round Of Union TV Advertisments