Around 300,000 spectators attending AFL football matches across Australia this weekend will be given information about how Federal Government workplace reforms will mean less time for family life and less time for sport on weekends.
Launching a union footy information campaign with former AFL player Che Cockatoo Collins ahead of the Port Adelaide Collingwood clash at the Docklands stadium in Melbourne tonight (Friday), ACTU President Sharan Burrow said:
Hundreds of union members including hospital staff, cleaners, nurses, fire-fighters ambulance officers, teachers, childcare and hospitality workers will be handing out information brochures in the shape of footballs at every AFL match this weekend.
Union members will use the AFLs family round matches this weekend to highlight how badly families would be affected by the changes proposed by the Federal Government.
People need to be aware that John Howards plans to reduce the rights of working Australians will mean less time for footy and less time for families.
Employers will be able to offer individual contracts that do not include basic award rights such as meal breaks, penalty rates and long service leave.
People can also be pushed onto individual contracts that cut their take home pay and 1.6 million award workers will face lower minimum wages.
Employers will be able to make staff work longer for less under this system.
Former AFL star and Port Adelaide player, Che Cockatoo-Collins, who is a proud union member, is participating in the AFL campaign.
He said that the changes to working rights were unfair and should be scrapped.
Former AFL star Peter Crackers Keenan is also supporting the union campaign.
Union members and their families will attend every AFL game this weekend in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth to hand out material before the game.
The unions footy information campaign is being co-ordinated by the Health Services Union of Australia, the LHMU and the ACTU.
Media Contact: Mark Robinson 0439 411 774
Union AFL footy information campaign
Volunteers will hand out brochures, balloons and information packs to all spectators for two hours prior to the start of the following AFL matches:
FRIDAY JULY 1
Collingwood vs Port Adelaide at Telstra Dome 7:40 PM AEST
SATURDAY JULY 2
Richmond vs Sydney Swans at M.C.G. 2:10 PM AEST
West Coast Eagles vs Carlton at Subiaco Oval (Perth) 2:10 PM AWST
Melbourne vs Brisbane Lions at Gabba (Brisbane) 7:10 PM AEST
Essendon vs Kangaroos at Telstra Dome 7:10 PM AEST
SUNDAY JULY 3
Adelaide vs Fremantle at AAMI Stadium (Adelaide) 12:40 PM ACST
Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda at M.C.G. 2:10 PM AEST
Geelong vs Hawthorn at Telstra Dome 2:10 PM AEST
Volunteer Contacts
South Australia will use Sunday’s AFL match at AAMI Stadium
Contact:Dave Gray at LHMU SA 0418 808 697
Queensland will use tomorrow’s AFL match at the Gabba
Contact: Ron Monaghan, LHMU Queensland Secretary 0407 654 046
WA use tomorrow’s AFL match in Perth
Contact:Simone McGurk – LHMU 9388 5400 or 0432 130 553
OR Dan Hill – Health Services Union 08 93285155 or 0407770417
Matches in Melbourne and Geelong
Contact: Karene Walton Health Services Union National Office
Tel: (03) 9341 3328 Fax: (03) 9341 3329 OR Mobile: 0439 411 775
