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21 May, 2000The metalworkers' union is strongly opposing proposed anti-worker legislation.
AUSTRALIA: Since the beginning of this year, the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) has been carrying out a campaign to win improved wages and conditions for its members through industry-wide bargaining. The campaign 2000/2001 looks so successful that the Australian government is moving to block it with new anti-worker legislation.
The proposed laws would, following requests by employers, compel the authorities to stop strikes and in many other ways strengthen the existing rights of employers.
"The whole point of this legislation is to empower employers in the bargaining process," says the AMWU assistant national secretary, Dave Oliver. "This legislation should be known as the anti-AMWU laws. It creates a whole legislative platform just to attack one union's campaign for better wages and job security".
On May 26, a delegation from AMWU will appear before the Senate committee in opposition to the bill. The IMF is seriously concerned at this anti-worker legislation and in a show of support has deployed its assistant general secretary, Brian Fredricks, to give evidence before the Senate committee.
The proposed laws would, following requests by employers, compel the authorities to stop strikes and in many other ways strengthen the existing rights of employers.
"The whole point of this legislation is to empower employers in the bargaining process," says the AMWU assistant national secretary, Dave Oliver. "This legislation should be known as the anti-AMWU laws. It creates a whole legislative platform just to attack one union's campaign for better wages and job security".
On May 26, a delegation from AMWU will appear before the Senate committee in opposition to the bill. The IMF is seriously concerned at this anti-worker legislation and in a show of support has deployed its assistant general secretary, Brian Fredricks, to give evidence before the Senate committee.