Today’s media has been flooded by stories about the Productivity Commission’s Review into the Fair Work Act.
But what does it mean for you?
For some time employers and their associations have been lobbying the Federal Liberal Government to look at amending the Fair Work Act’s provisions for workers, particularly in reference to penalty rates.
In an accidental leak of their issues paper last night, the worst has been confirmed: the blatant attack on workers’ rights and conditions has started.
In 2007 Australians made it very clear that an attack on our rights at work would not be taken lightly. WorkChoices was rejected by the nation but the Abbott Government wants to bring it back under a new name.
It was made clear that this review will not only look at penalty rates, but also the minimum wage and flexibility arrangements. Some of the most vulnerable Australians will be negatively impacted in an unfair, business-driven campaign to cut wages and conditions.
ASU members in shift work in industries such as airlines, call centres, cash and road transport, and gaming and wagering will be quite rightly alarmed at this fresh attack on penalty rates.
In the midst of a national employment crisis, workers need more protection for their living standards, not less.
Please join the fight for you penalty rates and follow us on Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date on our fight for living standards.
In unity,
Ingrid Stitt
Branch Secretary
