Groom's industrial relations package condemned

Dave Wright

HOBART -- The Liberals' Fightback! package and industrial relations strategy were condemned at a meeting here on October 20. Trades and Labour Council secretary Jim Bacon said some union leaders had lost touch with the membership and needed to do more to launch a fight against the Groom government's proposed industrial relations legislation.

About 70 people heard Bacon, Hobart alderperson Pru Bonham and Democrat Senator Cheryl Kernot condemn the Liberals' strategy. A rally scheduled for November 11 will protest against the Tasmanian legislation, which includes voluntary unionism and abolition of leave loading, penalty rates and paid maternity leave.

In response to a question about the New Zealand Alliance, Bacon said only “a non-parliamentary alliance of unions and progressive forces is possible in Australia”. Kernot outlined the Democrats' Getting to Work proposals for ecologically sustainable development, support for small business and buying Australian-made products.

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