Union Movement – Where from to where?
By Brian Boyd VTHC Secretary July 2012The initial Kennett years in Victoria from 1992-1995 saw massive mobilisations against his governments attacks on workers’ rights.
In 1997-1998 the Australian union movement displayed a high level of unity as it rallied round to defend the MUA. This waterfront union was under sustained attack by the then Howard Federal government, some State Governments and a range of employer organisations.
Between 2005-2007, under the banner: “Your Rights at Work”, again the union movement coalesced a determined approach to the blatant anti-worker IR legislation called WorkChoices. That campaign struck a chord within the organised workforce and the wider community to such an extent that Howard lost the November 2007 federal election. It was an historic sustained effort. Kevin Rudd didn’t win, Howard lost – this emphasis is often lost on our current crop of federal politicians.
The subsequent Fair Work Act left a lot to be desired in terms of fully restoring ‘Rights at Work”. Between 2007 and 2010 the second ALP federal government scoffed at addressing the ‘unfinished business’ carried over from WorkChoices into the Fair Work Act.
The hung parliament following the 2010 federal election has made it extremely difficult to pursue key union movement issues.
The Gillard government may have moved back towards consulting sections of the union movement in the current precarious environment. However achieving tangible, measurable outcomes, off the back of verbal consultations is far from easy.
The union movement currently has a 20% coverage of the overall national workforce.
Back in 1983 this coverage was about 50%. By 1991 it stood at 41%. It was 31% by 1996 when John Howard became Prime Minister.
There were profound changes in the structures and roles of unions in the 1980’s and 1990’s. The Prices and Incomes Accords and union amalgamations were two key illustrations of this restructure, that were supported by the ACTU. It could be argued that 13 years of an ALP national government, during those years with ACTU support, didn’t maintain a sound numerical basis for the 21st century.
Instead uncertainty of purpose seemed to undermine the rationale of many individual unions.
Fast forward back to the post – 2007 period and we have almost a repeat of history, with uncertainty affecting the collective role of unions in determining a whole range of policies affecting organised labour – EBA processes convoluted and almost never ending, a federal ALP government absorbing endless time and energy over basic policy “no-brainers” eg: procurement policy, over reliance on overseas visa workers, job security and vocational training just to list a few.
Coupled with this are seemingly empowered employer organisations in the current economic climate (especially globally) pushing for more restrictions on rights at work.
Sensing a constricted federal government is vulnerable to economic pressure the big companies demand more freedom to control their workforces while insisting these same workforces have no freedom at all, especially to collectively bargain.
History teaches us that by mobilising workers across the board, both empowers them and sends a strong message to the conservative forces that constantly manoeuvring to cut wages and conditions and shed jobs is totally unacceptable as Australia moves forward.
Friday, July 13, 2012
#AusUnions - Where to from here? | #Auspol
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Climate change legislation | #ACTU #CarbonTax
Passing of climate change legislation provides certainty for workers
08 November, 2011 | Media Release | ACTU
The passing of the Clean Energy Future legislation through the Senate today marks the beginning of a new era of economic reform for Australia.
ACTU President Ged Kearney said workers, communities and businesses now have certainty and can plan for the future.
“We believe that this package looks after workers, their families as well as their communities, which unions fought hard to ensure.” She said
“This legislation will help restructure the economy by reinvesting carbon revenue towards innovation and initiatives that will change the way our energy is produced.
“Over time, hundreds and thousands of jobs will be created all over the country.
“It seems like such an epic journey from the first moment we spoke about action on climate change back in 2008 till now.
“But we can finally hold our head up as a nation and know that we’re making an investment in our economy, environment and in the future generations to come.
“Unions are proud to have been involved in the debate from the beginning and now we have been able to see a delivered package that includes the protection of Australian industries and jobs.
“We can say unions were fundamental in ensuring the overall package included assistance to households, the protection of Australian jobs, support for affected industries as well as investment in clean innovation and technology.
“This is just the beginning of great possibilities.”
Australia has now committed to cutting pollution by at least 160 million tonnes a year in 2020, with revenue raised from the carbon price going directly into clean energy initiatives.
“Unions have always believed that Australia’s greatest asset has been our people they work hard and dream big,” Ms Kearney said.
“This initiative not only ensures we’ll have a clean planet to pass onto future generations but it’s also about doing something bold and making decisions that are about building our nation and not for short term political points.”
Contact Details
Amanda Nguyen
Ph: 0403 806 998
Monday, November 7, 2011
Fiji workers’ basic rights #ACTU
The rights of Fijian workers have deteriorated further following the start of a draconian decree that effectively bans collective bargaining.
ACTU President Ged Kearney said the Essential Industries Employment Decree, which came into full effect yesterday, denied workers of many fundamental rights, including to freely organise or collectively bargain.
“This is yet another example of the continued attack on workers’ rights by the Fiji military Government,” Ms Kearney said.
“Australian unions are increasingly concerned at what appears to be a systematic campaign of persecution by the Fijian Government of workers and their representatives.”
The decree’s implementation comes immediately after Fijian Trades Union Congress President Daniel Urai was charged with sedition and accused of political violence, and follows the arrest of FTUC Secretary Felix Anthony.
“Unions are among the few Fijian institutions still able to campaign for democracy and human rights, which appears to be why they are being targeted by Fiji military leaders.
“The detention of union officials in recent weeks is evidence of the Government’s repression and Australian unions are concerned that other Fijian union activists have been forced to go into hiding with their families.”
The restrictions on worker rights under the Essential National Industries Employment Decree include:
Banning unions from representing workers in negotiating collective bargaining outcomes;
Making void all current collective agreements;
Banning overtime payments, including for weekend work, work on days off, and work on public holidays;
Removing minimum wages, terms and conditions of work in designated industries;
Banning all strikes, slowdowns, or any action that may negatively impact the employer;
Requiring that all members, office bearers, officers and executives of the union shall be employees of the designated company.
Ms Kearney called on Australian companies operating in Fiji, including ANZ and Westpac banks, to publicly denounce the Government’s decree and commit to workplace rights consistent with International Labour Organisation obligations.
“Australian companies cannot wash their hands of the repression, while continuing to profit from the labour of Fijians,” Ms Kearney said.
Contact Details
Rebecca Tucker
Ph: 0408 031 269
Monday, October 31, 2011
Unions welcome Fair Work Australia decision | ACTU
31 October, 2011 | Media Release | ACTU
http://www.actu.org.au/Media/Mediareleases/UnionswelcomeFairWorkAustraliadeci...
Qantas must immediately resume flying its planes following Fair Work Australia’s decision early this morning to terminate the airline’s industrial action.
ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence said Qantas CEO Alan Joyce now had no excuse not to restart all services after his extraordinary and pre-meditated decision to ground the entire Australian fleet on Saturday afternoon.
Mr Lawrence said Qantas employees would turn up for work today ready to do whatever was necessary to get the planes back in the air. He welcomed the government intervention which had been the circuit breaker in the dispute, and said the next priority was to resume negotiations in a spirit of reconciliation.
“This decision by Fair Work Australia removes any reason for Qantas to ground its planes,” he said. “The tribunal has sheeted home to Alan Joyce full responsibility for the actions which caused massive disruption to the travel plans of thousands of Australians and the economy.
“The decision means Qantas must negotiate about the legitimate claims over job security and outsourcing unions have been pursuing for 15 months. This is a sensible decision by the bench.
“It is a pity it took government intervention to force management back to the bargaining table after such needless disruption. But it now means we can get back to negotiating in good faith, as unions have been seeking to do for weeks.
“But Australians have a right to ask: what did Alan Joyce achieve with this decision to ground the fleet? Qantas has made headlines around the world for all the wrong reasons due to this management action. The damage to the brand is immeasurable.
“Thousands of passengers around Australia have been stranded because of Mr Joyce’s action. And Qantas’ entire workforce are now fearful about their future. And Qantas has failed in its meanspirited attempt to lock out workers pursuing legitimate industrial claims. Did Mr Joyce ever consider the innocent bystanders who would be affected by his action?
“But despite their shock and dismay at what Mr Joyce has done, Qantas workers have performed magnificently in the face of enormous pressure, and we pay tribute to them.
“It needs to be repeated that workers at Qantas are simply seeking to negotiate new pay and conditions, and some guarantees from management about job security. But bargaining at Qantas had broken down because of management’s refusal to negotiate.
“Our immediate priority now is to work with management to get the planes back in the air, but then we will approach negotiations in a genuine spirit of conciliation and expect Qantas management to do the same.
“The key issue for negotiation is the future of Qantas jobs in Australia, and there must be a continuing role for the government during these talks to ensure job security.”
Monday, September 26, 2011
WA puts workers at risk by refusing to sign up to harmonised OHS laws | ACTU
WA puts workers at risk by refusing to sign up to harmonised OHS laws
View the article here
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Stronger Super means more secure retirement for Australian workers | ACTU |
Stronger Super means more secure retirement for Australian workers
ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence said unions welcomed the release of the final details of the Government’s Stronger Super reforms, including the development of MySuper, which will replace existing default funds, with no entry fees and a ban on other hidden costs for members.
“Unions have supported the industry fund model for the past 30 years, based on its record of low fees, diversified investments and good returns. So we are pleased the Government has followed through on its election commitment with the release of the Stronger Super reforms.
“The new MySuper product could lead to workers paying up to 40% less in super fees and that is welcome progress in unions’ campaign to improve the adequacy of retirement funds for Australians,” Mr Lawrence said.
“We are also pleased the Government is working towards its commitment to increase the Superannuation Guarantee to 12%.
“Workers deserve a comfortable retirement but the current 9% contribution rate simply means that will not be an option for many Australians.
“It is however disappointing that to date Tony Abbott has refused to commit to improving superannuation outcomes through the increase.
“That is why unions this week launched a new campaign, Stand Up for Super, led by a petition of Australian workers addressed to Members of Parliament.
“Given the Liberal Party’s history of opposing improvements to the superannuation system since compulsory super began in the 1990s, we can have no confidence they will support this change either.
“However, we are pleased the Government is committed to improving superannuation outcomes for Australian workers and today’s announcement is an important step towards that goal.”
Mr Lawrence said today’s reforms would also mean measures to provide better information to workers on their payslips, so that they could see their superannuation had been paid, while regulatory bodies APRA, ASIC and the ATO would be provided with better tools to improve their oversight of superannuation
Details of the ACTU’s Stand Up for Super campaign is available online at www.standupforsuper.com.au It includes an online calculator so workers can see how much more in retirement income they would have with a 12% Superannuation Guarantee.
View the article here
Monday, September 19, 2011
Unions launch campaign for 12% super | ACTU | #Ausunions #NSWpol
The average 25-year-old worker could lose $143,000 from their planned retirement savings if Parliament does not support the Labor Government’s plan to increase their Superannuation Guarantee to 12%.
Unions will today launch a new campaign to increase the Superannuation Guarantee to 12% amid uncertainty about whether Parliament will support the Labor Government’s plan to improve security in retirement for all Australian workers.
ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence said the new campaign, Stand Up for Super, would be led by a petition of Australian workers addressed to Members of Parliament.
The campaign is being launched online today at www.standupforsuper.com.au It includes an online calculator so workers can see how much more in retirement income they would have with a 12% Superannuation Guarantee.
“Workers deserve a comfortable retirement but the current 9% contribution rate simply means that will not be an option for many Australians,” Mr Lawrence said.
He said 8.4 million Australians would receive an increase in their retirement incomes as a result of the Government’s proposed reforms, which would come into effect in July next year.
The reforms mean a worker aged 30 today on average weekly earnings would retire with an additional $108,000 in superannuation. And even someone the same age who can expect interrupted working patterns due to parenting responsibilities would have an extra $78,000 in retirement savings,
“The Government has shown leadership in this important area, but to date Tony Abbott has refused to commit to improving superannuation outcomes, which would be funded by the passage of the Minerals Rent Resource Tax,” Mr Lawrence said. “Given the Liberal Party’s history of opposing improvements to the superannuation system since compulsory super began in the 1990s, we can have no confidence they will support this change either.
“Unions fought long and hard for superannuation to be introduced at all in the 1990s, despite opposition from business and the conservative side of politics, who argued the sky would fall in at the time.
“In contrast to the claims of business, Australia’s economic prosperity has thrived and we remain one of the wealthiest nations in the world. However, this is not reflected in the retirement incomes of many Australians who will not have enough money to retire on if employer contributions are stuck at 9%.
“The proposed reforms will also help address the challenges of an ageing population.
“Over the next 10 years, $85 billion will be added to Australia's pool of superannuation savings. A proportion of these savings will be channelled back into the Australian economy to fund jobs and nation-building infrastructure.”
Mr Lawrence said unions had already secured super contributions of more than 9% for about 2 million workers through collective bargaining and aimed to extend that through the workforce.
View the article here
Monday, September 12, 2011
#AUSunions condemn Fiji’s continued attack on workers’ rights | ACTU
Unions condemn Fiji’s continued attack on workers’ rights
ACTU President Ged Kearney said the illegal and unelected government led by Commodore Frank Bainimarama was increasingly defiant in the face of international criticism and must restore constitutional rights immediately.
The Essential National Industries (Employment) Decree, declared on Friday, seeks to:
- Ban all strikes, slowdowns, sick actions or any action that may negatively impact the employer;
- Ban unions from representing workers in negotiating collective bargaining outcomes;
- Void all current collective agreements within 60 days;
- Provide that after 60 days any strike or lockout may take place only with the written authority of the Minister;
- Ban overtime payments, including for weekend work, work on days off, and work on public holidays unless agreed by the employer;
- Cancel all current Wages Council Orders regarding minimum terms and conditions of work in designated industries;
- Require that all members, office bearers, officers and executives of the union shall be employees of the designated company;
- Applies to all Government owned industries and any other that the Minister may designate.
“It is becoming increasingly unsafe for workers in Fiji to stand up for their rights, which are being removed systematically by Bainimarama,” Ms Kearney said. “Australian unions will not sit back and allow the rights of Fijian workers to be trampled by this military regime and we call on the Fiji regime to revoke this decree.”
The declaration of the decree comes after the recent arrest of the President of the Trades Union Congress, Daniel Urai, apparently for having met with union members about collective negotiations with hotel management.
The repressive Fiji actions have prompted a web campaign by LabourStart and Australian unions, with thousands of unionists from here and across the globe already sending protest emails to the Bainimarama Government.
Concerned workers can still send protest emails at Rights at Work and Labourstart.
View the article here