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30 November, 1999The International Metalworkers' Federation condemns the Australian government's attempts to destroy metalworkers' unions.
AUSTRALIA: The Executive Committee of the International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF) is deeply concerned about the situation of working people in Australia. The government has sought to destroy the country's labour movement by enacting legislation which arguably prohibits any industrial action during an existing enterprise agreement.
The Australian Metal Trades Federation of Unions (MTFU) has embarked upon an industrial campaign which is designed to re-regulate many of the conditions of employment for manufacturing workers. Among campaign issues are:
- a common expiry date for all enterprise agreements;
- establishing negotiations at the industry level with manufacturing employers, instead of all negotiations at the plant level;
- regular hours, no unpaid overtime.
This agenda confronts the prevailing industrial and economic policy of the conservative government, the employers and the press. The employers have sought and achieved Federal Court injunctions against the MTFU, however the Victoria MTFU has continued to exercise its democratic rights and obligations to consult with its members. The employers will now seek penalties against the metalworkers' unions for contempt of the law.
The IMF expresses its solidarity with the Australian manufacturing workers, who are exercising their democratic rights to meet collectively and debate the nature of claims on employers, and will use all its influence worldwide to stop this blatant attack on workers in Australia.
The Australian Metal Trades Federation of Unions (MTFU) has embarked upon an industrial campaign which is designed to re-regulate many of the conditions of employment for manufacturing workers. Among campaign issues are:
- a common expiry date for all enterprise agreements;
- establishing negotiations at the industry level with manufacturing employers, instead of all negotiations at the plant level;
- regular hours, no unpaid overtime.
This agenda confronts the prevailing industrial and economic policy of the conservative government, the employers and the press. The employers have sought and achieved Federal Court injunctions against the MTFU, however the Victoria MTFU has continued to exercise its democratic rights and obligations to consult with its members. The employers will now seek penalties against the metalworkers' unions for contempt of the law.
The IMF expresses its solidarity with the Australian manufacturing workers, who are exercising their democratic rights to meet collectively and debate the nature of claims on employers, and will use all its influence worldwide to stop this blatant attack on workers in Australia.