Vic public sector plans strike

Wednesday, October 28, 1992 - 11:00

Vic public sector plans strike

MELBOURNE — A meeting of workers covered by state awards decided on October 22 to organise a 24-hour strike against the Kennett government's plan to replace the state award system with an individual employment agreement system.

Teachers, hospital workers, firefighters, ambulance workers and state public servants are expected to strike on November 10 if the plan is endorsed by the Victorian Trades Hall Council executive. Public transport and essential services would not be affected, according to VTHC secretary John Halfpenny, but workers covered by federal awards will also be urged to join the strike.

Meetings of workers will be held around the state to discuss the legislation, which also includes attacks on penalty rates and workers compensation entitlements. The Kennett government has also warned that it would be prepared to break existing industrial agreements to implement job cuts in the public sector.

From GLW issue 77