George sidesteps Labor's record

By Melanie Sjoberg ADELAIDE — ACTU president-elect Jennie George made a flying visit on February 8 and 9. She spoke to meetings of 50 plus union members at the Commonwealth Centre, Adelaide University and the Brecknock Hotel. George outlined the serious problems that workers would face under a Coalition government. She said that Howard had little to offer workers under a regime that prefers individual contracts. Ordinary workers will not be able to negotiate successfully under the pressure of business demanding more. She also presented the difficulties that most young people would confront if they have to sign a contract of employment. It was a scenario designed to discourage anyone with a conscience from contemplating a vote for the Liberals "just for a change". George, however, neglected to provide a critique of the ALP government policies and their impact on workers. In response to a question about the demands the ACTU has placed on the current government, George was able to reply only that Accord Mark VIII offered a solution. She made no response to a comment that women workers were worse off under Labor's enterprise bargaining legislation. However, she did suggest that the new superannuation measures would be beneficial for women. George was not willing to take up the proposal that the labour movement should be independent from the ALP and concluded that a vote for Labor was the only option.