More job stability and better financial security for working people and their families will be the focus of a special meeting of the ACTU Executive with Labor Leader Mark Latham today.
Speaking in advance of the meeting with over 60 leaders of Australia’s major unions in Sydney today at 2pm, ACTU President Sharan Burrow said:
“Job instability among Australians is now rife with a survey released yesterday finding one in five workers believing they will be retrenched this year.
than 2.2 million people – a quarter of the workforce – now employed on a casual
basis (28%).
including sick leave, holiday leave, or a paid day off to care for a sick child.
The lack of entitlements is especially unfair for long-term casuals – for
example, almost half a million casuals have been with their employer more than
five years.
Labor’s new policy giving long-term casuals the option to convert to permanent
employment.
The financial pressure that working people face as well as the difficulty of balancing work and family will be the other major item for discussion at today’s meeting.
middle income people means almost three quarters of taxpayers – those earning
less than $48,000 a year – are paying up to $650 a year more in tax.
basic services under the Coalition: health costs have jumped 28%, dental costs
are up 46%, education costs are up 53% and home ownership costs are up 37%.
members and yet the Howard Government has failed to deliver on a much-needed
national paid maternity leave scheme for working mothers.
We know low and middle income Australians are losing out under the Coalition Government and we want to discuss with Mark Latham how unions and a future Labor Government can work together to promote job stability and financial security for all.”
Doorstop Media Conference
Sharan Burrow – ACTU President
1:45 pm TODAY- Thursday 6 May 2004
(Photo opportunity of Mark Latham with ACTU Executive at 2pm)
NSW Labor Council – 9th Floor
377-383 Sussex Street , Sydney
Media Contact: Ian Wilson 0408 513 849
