Looking ahead to 2009, ACTU President Sharan Burrow said:
“In 2009, I am looking forward to seeing WorkChoices consigned to the scrap heap of history with the passing of the new Fair Work Bill.
“My New Year’s wish is to see the Liberal and National parties accept the decision of voters at the 2007 election for the restoration of rights at work and pass the bill unchanged.
“Our other hopes for 2009 are to see Australia emerge from the global financial crisis with our economy and jobs intact and to be firmly on the path to dealing with climate change.
“No doubt it is going to be a tough and challenging year and income and job security must be the uppermost concern and priority of everyone.
“We call on employers to do everything they can to retain jobs through redeploying and retraining staff, and reducing excessive hours.”
