AWAs for politicians?

James Vassilopoulos, Melbourne

A forklift driver in Footscray ran out of petrol on his way to work. When he turned up, the boss told him that he was sacked, mistakenly believing that the new industrial relations laws had already been introduced, so "I can sack whom I like". This was one story told to a July 20 public forum by Australian Council of Trade Unions president Sharan Burrow, about how companies are taking advantage of the anti-worker climate created by the federal Coalition government.

Eighty people attended the forum, which was organised by the Port Melbourne Union Solidarity group. Lawyer Josh Bernstein told the meeting that there were two myths about PM John Howard's industrial relations plans: first, that Australian Workplace Agreements or individual contracts are about freedom of choice, and secondly that the changes are about deregulation. He explained that there is nothing within AWAs that is negotiated. Workers have the choice of either taking the job with an AWA or not taking the job at all.

Father Bob McGuire of the Sts Peter and Paul Parish in South Melbourne suggested that politicians should be placed on AWAs, with the people as their boss. Items included in the contract could be that they are only paid when parliament is sitting, and they must travel only by public transport.

From Green Left Weekly, July 27, 2005.

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From GLW issue 635