Aussie Employment Changes A Step Backwards

Thursday, 10 November 2005, 5:54 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

10 November 2005

Australian Industrial Relations changes a step backward - NZ protests planned

The Council of Trade Unions is committing to working with Australian unions to continue opposition to the worst changes to their workplace relations system in decades, Council of Trade Unions President Ross Wilson said today.

Suspending standing orders, the Howard government rushed their Work Choices bill through the Australian lower House of Representatives this morning. It now proceeds to the Senate.

"New Zealand workers and unions stand alongside Australian workers in opposition to these regressive law changes" said Ross Wilson, CTU President.

"The changes are an unprecedented attack on the basic conditions of working Australians. The most obscene aspect of the "reforms" is the complete removal of unfair dismissal laws for all workers in a worksite with 100 employees or less."

There is a National Day of Community Protest in Australia on Tuesday November 15, and New Zealand unions have organised activities in Auckland and Wellington on the same day (media advisory forthcoming).

ENDS

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New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

Te Kauae Kaimahi

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi brings together over 350,000 New Zealand union members in 40 affiliated unions. We are the united voice for working people and their families in New Zealand.

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