Massive labour protests against harsh new laws in Australia

struggle4progress

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Tue Nov-15-05 07:05 PM
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Massive labour protests against harsh new laws in Australia

Canberra - <snip>

The Australian Council of Trade Unions estimated the turnout at more than half a million workers nationwide.

Howard is using the increased parliamentary muscle he won in recent elections to press ahead with the harshest package of anti-labour laws in modern Australian history.

Protesters defied warnings of hefty fines to participate in the demonstrations and to show their anger at the so-called reforms, which the government is presenting as a centrepiece of its fourth term in office.

The protests were loudest in the southern city of Melbourne, where more than 150,000 people walked off the job to support union-organized rallies. <snip>

http://www.nupge.ca/news_2005/n16no05a.htm

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jbnow

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Tue Nov-15-05 07:50 PM
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1. That's horrible

from the artcle
If passed, the changes will dramatically reduce the access of workers to union representation, collective bargaining, minimum employment standards and protection from unfair dismissal.
snip
Other key provisions include:
� No protection from unfair dismissal for workers in workplaces with less than 100 workers.
� Pushing workers to accept individual employment contracts rather than collective union contracts.
� Restrictions on trade union activities, including the freedom to talk with workers at their workplace;
� Extremely narrow limits on matters open to collective bargaining. (Unions can be fined $30,000 if they seek to reach agreement with employers on unfair dismissal, union training leave, use of subcontractors and a range of other matters.)
� Removal of the right to public holidays for many workers, and weakened provisions for annual leave.
� Employers will be able to decide unilaterally on annual leave bonuses, meal and rest breaks, overtime rates and other provisions for many workers.
� Reduced protection for employees who refuse unsafe or unhealthy work.

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rodeodance

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Tue Nov-15-05 08:10 PM
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2. whow---go get that winnie dog!

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Matilda

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Tue Nov-15-05 10:58 PM
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3. Howard may have just over-reached himself on this one.

Many people who are not directly affected still think they go way
too far in stripping workers of their rights. It's a personal
crusade of Howard's and I don't believe it has the support of a
majority of the people, even among those who voted for him.

Perhaps - just perhaps - some of those dopes may begin to wake up
and see Howard for what he really is - a mean-spirited and divisive
little man.

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