[Greens-Media] ALP IR is not forward enough with fairness - Greens

[Norton, Tim (Sen R. Siewert)]

ALP IR is not forward enough with fairness - Greens
Tuesday 25th November 2008

The Australian Greens believe many working Australians will feel let
down by this legislation as not delivering on the promise to abolish
Work Choices and to create a genuinely fair industrial relation system.

"There are huge gaps and problems with the Fair Work Bill. The unfair
dismissal laws don't go far enough, too many restrictions on collective
bargaining remain, continuing individual agreements and an umpire with
limited powers are all cause for concern," said Senator Rachel Siewert.

"This legislation is being compared to Work Choices rather than what a
fair and decent industrial relations system should look like. We are
already seeing minimum conditions reduced from pre-Work Choices levels
under the award modernisation process with the potential for these
standards to be undermined even further with individual flexibility
agreements."

"We have concerns about the protection afforded to more vulnerable
workers, the people that were most affected by Work Choices. The
National Employment Standards are only enforceable through the Federal
Magistrates Court, meaning possible prohibitive costs for workers with
valid concerns over their working conditions. How can our most
vulnerable workers take such action?" said Senator Siewert.

"The Government's move to include 'good faith bargaining' and last
resort arbitration is welcome, but with workers unable to bargain over
important conditions including environmental matters, and limitations of
Fair Work Australia to resolve disputes, this legislation fails to
deliver on some key concerns of the Australian people." 

"This is a lost opportunity for an ALP Government to cement in place a
truly progressive workplace relations system. The Greens will be putting
this legislation under close scrutiny in the Senate and pushing to
ensure dignity and a decent standard of living to all Australian
workers," she concluded.

For more information or media enquiries please call Tim Norton on 0418
401 180