Branch delays on confronting Carnell

By Tim Gooden

CANBERRA — ACT government workers are facing a concerted effort by the Carnell government to divide the work force through agency agreements. This will preparing the way for the sell-off of profitable sections to big business.

This has been rejected by the Community and Public Sector Union, the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union at meetings last week.

However, at a CPSU meeting on May 23, members passed a branch motion that proposed to do nothing and await the outcome of the Industrial Relations Commission hearing set for May 28.

As a result, members will be sitting on their hands until at least May 28. If that decision goes in the government's favour, then the CPSU may be locked out of any agreements, leaving members almost defenceless.

This situation has not pleased more militant sections of the membership, which, like the AMWU, already had bans in place and were starting to pressure the government. Now CPSU members are being asked to drop bans and wait and see. But with dwindling members attending meetings and no action planned, when there are results it may be too late to start a fight back.

From GLW issue 233