New attack on public sector workers
By James Vassilopoulos
Minister for industrial relations Peter Reith has escalated the government's attack on public sector workers by allowing departments to introduce Australian Workplace Agreements or individual contracts, and by restrictive conditions on union dues from being deducted from the payroll.
Tim Gooden, ACT government sectional secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union, said, "The ACT government section opposes AWAs ... Any attempt to split workers into small groups or as individuals must be fought."
The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers Australia has already settled an AWA in the public sector. About 130 air safety regulators have signed individual contracts, with the union as their bargaining agent. These AWAs are expected to be the first the Employment Advocate endorses when the advocate opens for operation.
The government plans a major assault on unions by stopping unions from deducting union dues from the payroll. In the CPSU, it is believed, at least 40% of the union's members pay their dues through the payroll.
A press release from Reith states, "Dues will only be collected with the written authority of members and provided the relevant union acts responsibly".
Philippa Stanford, DSS section councillor in South Australia, commented, "It's no secret what Reith means by 'responsible' unions — those that don't resist the government's attacks. But this situation shows how unwise it is for unions to get so cosy with the employers that they rely on them to collect union dues."
Reith's press release goes onto state that awards will be "simplified" and that paid rates awards will "over time" be done away with. The government also plans to rewrite the Public Service Act.
Gooden said, "I have no doubt workers will be worse off under the Liberals' proposed changes. With paid rates awards being chucked, workers will lose up to 25% in pay. Hundreds of conditions which workers have will be slashed to a minimum of 20. Thousands of jobs have been already lost. This has meant community services have worsened."
Already departments have begun to follow the government's lead and prepare for the cuts. The secretary of the Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs, in a minute to all staff, states, "We still need to start thinking seriously about how we will take advantage of the flexibilities promised".
The minute went onto say the department will look into opportunities where "individuals might benefit" from AWAs.
According to Gooden, "The ACT government section will vigorously fight any attempt to undermine conditions and pay. This includes the option of industrial action. This is the only language the Liberals understand."