Senate to turn back Abetz on workplace trade-offs

    EWIN HANNAN
    The Australian
    February 24, 2014


THE government's next wave of workplace changes will be delayed by months after the Labor Party and the Greens declared yesterday they were highly unlikely to support passage of the changes through the Senate.

Employment Minister Eric Abetz will introduce a bill into parliament this week to make it easier for workers to trade off key entitlements, including penalty rates, for more flexible working hours. The bill will also impose fresh restrictions on unions entering workplaces and limit their ability to get pay deals on new resource projects.      

But both the ALP and the Greens said yesterday they were likely to oppose the bill, ensuring the changes will at least be delayed until the new Senate comes into operation from July 1.      :)

Opposition workplace relations spokesman Brendan O'Connor said the ALP was suspicious about the government's intentions and it was "highly likely" the opposition would not support the bill".      :)

The legislation would overhaul Labor's system of individual flexibility arrangements by abolishing the ability of unions to have enterprise agreements restrict their use. Senator Abetz said the changes would allow workers to trade off penalty rates for working more flexible hours to suit their personal situation.

Mr O'Connor said he wanted to ensure any individual flexibility arrangements were genuinely agreed, that there was proper oversight, that they were not conditions of employment and that workers could not be coerced into signing up to them.

He said the suggestion that the changes would only affect individual workers was "ludicrous". "It has an impact on the people who work around them on the same conditions, doing similar or the same work," he said. "It effectively has an impact on other competitors. That's the intention -- to place pressure all around.

Greens deputy leader Adam Bandt said his party was almost certain to oppose it. He said an employer "shouldn't be able to sign a binding collective agreement on Monday and then contract out of it on Tuesday". "People want more control over their working lives but the only 'flexibility' Tony Abbott has in mind is the flexibility for everyday workers to lose their entitlements."

ACTU secretary Dave Oliver said unions believed the government was "trying to appease the top end of town" and the ALP should oppose the bill. "This is just another move by the government to increase flexibility and have more individual bargaining in the workplace. The unions have always been opposed to that and we would seek the support of the Labor Party to oppose it."

According to an analysis by the Department of Employment the implementation of the bill would reduce negotiations on new projects by two months and generate $70 million in red tape and compliance savings.

It found the proposed changes to the rules governing greenfields agreements would significantly reduce the burden on employers by cutting the time taken for union negotiations by two months.

Senator Abetz said the analysis showed the benefits the policy would have for the economy, workers and employers.

As someone involved in the costings of workforce in varying countries - I really do have to remind you Australia is really not competitive and needs to adjust it's industrial workplace laws.

It needs greater flex in the system to respond to changing market conditions.

Blocking measures to improve your competitive edge is really quite backward thinking.

So talk to the unions      :)

wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 6:32am:

So talk to the unions      :)

they dont want FLEXIBILITY THEY WANT CONTROL

fancy a worker being in charge of his own destiny??????.. who wants that.. >:( >:(

sure as hell the unions dont.

Opposition workplace relations spokesman Brendan O'Connor said the ALP was suspicious about the government's intentions.      :)

wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 6:38am:

Opposition workplace relations spokesman Brendan O'Connor said the ALP was suspicious about the government's intentions.      :)

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D


aint that the truth...../.dont give anyone the right to decide for themselves.. OMG..what a thought.

wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 6:32am:

So talk to the unions      :)

I've dealt with the AMWU and I found them to be incredibly confrontational and not a business partner thinking bigger picture at all.
In fact they were quite obstructive to us.

So the more we can go around unions the better.

We know that the coalition, can not be trusted on industrial relations.     :)

wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 6:43am:

We know that the coalition, can not be trusted on industrial relations.     :)

How can Labor - funded by unions - be trusted to be impartial and govern with the interests of business in mind on workplace relations?

Abbott said he would take any changes in Industrial relations to the next election....No excuses and no surprises.....Employers have all the cards in such negotiations and will rip apart workers entitlements with the help of the Coalition Government.....Take it to an election like you promised Mr Abbott!!!

>:( >:( >:(

We know full well the coalition can not be trusted on industrial relations.  Remember they were the ones, that introduced work choices ( no choices ).   :(    

wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 6:54am:

We know full well the coalition can not be trusted on industrial relations.  Remember they were the ones, that introduced work choices ( no choices ).   :(

why.... we had to trust things like

THERE WILL BE NO CARBON TAX UNDER A GOVT I LEAD..


whats the difference??>.. oh thats right it was a BIG FAT LABOR LIE that makes it ok.

cods wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 6:57am:

why.... we had to trust things like THERE WILL BE NO CARBON TAX UNDER A GOVT I LEAD..

Oh I get it, so the Liberals are just as bad as Labor, did I hear that right?

Liberal Government back to old habits with the return of Individual Contracts
20 February, 2014 | Media Release Unions demand the Abbott Government drop any attempt to introduce Individual Contracts that will cut take-home pay.

ACTU President Ged Kearney said the Abbott Government has given employers the green light to cut people’s pay under the guise of greater ‘flexibility’.

“This is a blatant attempt to cut pay and conditions through Individual Contracts and shows the Abbott Government doesn’t understand the concerns of Australian workers,” she said.

“We know that the Liberal Party definition of flexibility has always been flexibility by workers not for workers and that’s exactly what we have seen again today.”

“Don’t be mistaken, this is an attempt to slash take home pays and working conditions and despite all the pre-election promises, this is undoubtedly what is happening here,” she said.

“Workers and employers need flexibility but this is an extreme and hard-line stance by the Abbott Government to say that a parent of a sick child should take a pay cut in order to look after their family.

“This is an unacceptable choice between workers earning enough to meet their living costs and their ability to look after their family.”

“Minister Abetz talks about imaginary workers that want to give up penalty rates for nothing. We’re yet to find a worker that thinks this is a good deal.”

Only yesterday new figures showed that Australia is experiencing the slowest wages growth on record while the cost of living is rising quickly, faster than wages.

“Australia is in the midst of a job security crisis with thousands of workers losing their jobs and many others pushed into casual insecure work. That’s what the Abbott Government should be focused on, not on making life tougher for people.”

But day after day we keep seeing the Abbott Government trying to drive down wages at a time when families can least afford it.

News reports today show that the Abbott government pressed SPC to slash worker’s wages by up to 40%. The Abbott Government was twice found misleading the public after private companies SPC and Toyota were forced to publicly clarify misleading statements made the government about worker’s wages and conditions.

“Now that the so called ‘wages blowout’ has been proven to be a lie, the Abbott Government has fallen back on Individual Contracts - which were a hallmark of WorkChoices - cutting wages and diminishing conditions that Australian workers rely on in order to balance life and work.”

Under WorkChoices most individual contracts removed basic award conditions:
-    65% of individual agreements removed penalty rates
-    70% of individual agreements removed shift loading
-    68% of individual agreements removed annual leave loading
-    50% of individual agreements removed public holiday pay

Stratos wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 6:59am:

cods wrote on Feb 24th, 2014 at 6:57am: why.... we had to trust things like THERE WILL BE NO CARBON TAX UNDER A GOVT I LEAD.. Oh I get it, so the Liberals are just as bad as Labor, did I hear that right?

you could be.. although it depends on the lie and the aftermaths ....

if giving someone the right to decide his own destiny is wrong.. I do not recall the LIBS saying they would not do that during the election.. ::)


perhaps you can show me where it made headlines....

abbott always said Workchoices was too stringent..too harsh....so lets see what this is about.. not just wipe it away because some union claims its wrong...


whats to fear if the worker doesnt want to he doesnt have to...

I for one do not trust unions.. not after what we have b een seeing for years and yeas knowing nothing changes they are a law or force unto themselves...they are huge business...yet run roughshod over everything that they dont like... which can take POWER away from the few...

dont forget we do not vote for these union people yet when labors in they run the show.

How can Liberal - funded by big business - be trusted to be impartial and govern with the interests of workers in mind on workplace relations?

cods wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 7:08am:

if giving someone the right to decide his own destiny is wrong

How exactly is "take our specific working conditions or get fired" a good thing.  Even the Liberals have admitted workchoices is a dumb idea, and was a considerable factor in why Howard lost the 07 election.


cods wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 7:08am:

I do not recall the LIBS saying they would not do that during the election.

Something about "dead, buried and cremated'?


cods wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 7:08am:

dont forget we do not vote for these union people yet when labors in they run the show.

You didn't vote for Gina or Rupert either Cods.

cods wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 7:08am:

dont forget we do not vote for these union people yet when labors in they run the show.

Stratos wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 7:20am:

You didn't vote for Gina or Rupert either Cods.

Who voted for Peta to run the show

Didnt Tony Liar say

"Work Choices is dead, buried and cremated!"

before the election?

John S wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 7:14am:

How can Liberal - funded by big business - be trusted to be impartial and govern with the interests of workers in mind on workplace relations?

I can EASILY ask the same of Labor and Unions...

Armchair_Politician wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 7:42am:

John S wrote on Feb 24th, 2014 at 7:14am: How can Liberal - funded by big business - be trusted to be impartial and govern with the interests of workers in mind on workplace relations? I can EASILY ask the same of Labor and Unions...

Instead of jumping in half way through a conversation read all the post and you would see where andrei ask about the labor party and unions

So who would you trust to look after worker rights big business or unions

John S wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 7:52am:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Feb 24th, 2014 at 7:42am: John S wrote on Feb 24th, 2014 at 7:14am: How can Liberal - funded by big business - be trusted to be impartial and govern with the interests of workers in mind on workplace relations? I can EASILY ask the same of Labor and Unions... Instead of jumping in half way through a conversation read all the post and you would see where andrei ask about the labor party and unions So who would you trust to look after worker rights big business or unions

WHY CANT WORKERS LOOK OUT FOR THEMSELVES....??

SEEING AS HOW THE HSU WORKERS WERE TREATED... BY THE UNIONS......WHY WOULD THEY TRUST THEM


they were ripped off for millions wiseone.. millions they will never see again.

cods wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 7:55am:

SEEING AS HOW THE HSU WORKERS WERE TREATED... BY THE UNIONS......WHY WOULD THEY TRUST THEM

most unions are fine.  most unions do not have systemic corruption and stand up to deliver better conditions for workers.  Corrupt ones can go and get stuffed, but that's not most of them.


cods wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 7:55am:

WHY CANT WORKERS LOOK OUT FOR THEMSELVES....??

A single worker has zero bargaining power.  If they are being mistreated and go to their workplace asking for something reasonable like a pay raise in keeping with cost of living or inflation, the employer will have no trouble replacing a single worker. 

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 6:28am:

As someone involved in the costings of workforce in varying countries - I really do have to remind you Australia is really not competitive and needs to adjust it's industrial workplace laws. It needs greater flex in the system to respond to changing market conditions. Blocking measures to improve your competitive edge is really quite backward thinking.

Why should we pay attention to the viewpoint of someone who has made a lot of money putting other people out of work?

cods wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 6:33am:

wrote on Feb 24th, 2014 at 6:32am: So talk to the unions      :) they dont want FLEXIBILITY THEY WANT CONTROL

And employers don't?

cods wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 6:57am:

wrote on Feb 24th, 2014 at 6:54am: We know full well the coalition can not be trusted on industrial relations.  Remember they were the ones, that introduced work choices ( no choices ).   :(     why.... we had to trust things like THERE WILL BE NO CARBON TAX UNDER A GOVT I LEAD.. whats the difference??>.. oh thats right it was a BIG FAT LABOR LIE that makes it ok.

Have you EVER had an independent thought in your life, or is partisan slogans all you have?

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 6:44am:

wrote on Feb 24th, 2014 at 6:43am: We know that the coalition, can not be trusted on industrial relations.     :) How can Labor - funded by unions - be trusted to be impartial and govern with the interests of business in mind on workplace relations?

How can Liberals - funded by employers - be trusted to be impartial and govern with the interests of workers in mind on workplace relations?

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 6:44am:

How can Labor - funded by unions - be trusted to be impartial and govern with the interests of business in mind on workplace relations?

John S wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 7:14am:

How can Liberal - funded by big business - be trusted to be impartial and govern with the interests of workers in mind on workplace relations?

Bam wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 8:20am:

How can Liberals - funded by employers - be trusted to be impartial and govern with the interests of workers in mind on workplace relations?

Snap!  :)

cods wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 7:55am:

WHY CANT WORKERS LOOK OUT FOR THEMSELVES....??

United workers bargain. Divided workers beg.

This is why some employers do not like a level playing field in negotiations on pay and conditions.

....

Kat wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 8:18am:

cods wrote on Feb 24th, 2014 at 6:57am: wrote on Feb 24th, 2014 at 6:54am: We know full well the coalition can not be trusted on industrial relations.  Remember they were the ones, that introduced work choices ( no choices ).   :(     why.... we had to trust things like THERE WILL BE NO CARBON TAX UNDER A GOVT I LEAD.. whats the difference??>.. oh thats right it was a BIG FAT LABOR LIE that makes it ok. Have you EVER had an independent thought in your life, or is partisan slogans all you have?

You're certainly right there Kat.  This lady is by far the biggest Oaf on this whole forum.

cods wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 7:55am:

WHY CANT WORKERS LOOK OUT FOR THEMSELVES....??

Why can't employers look after themselves but they have an Employers Association (that"s a union why not object to them).  Why cant farmers look after themselves but they have a Farmers' Federation (that"s a union why not object to them); Why can't businesspeople look after themselves but they have Chambers of Commerce all over the country (that"s a union why not object to them).  But no, this Oaf ex-worker only objects to workers organising to protect their interests. For everyone else to organise to protect their own interests that's OK by cods because that's what the Daily Telegraph  told her every morning on queue for the last 50 years.

cods wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 7:55am:

WHY CANT WORKERS LOOK OUT FOR THEMSELVES....??

Why can't employers look after themselves but they have an Employers Association (that"s a union why not object to them).  Why cant farmers look after themselves but they have a Farmers' Federation (that"s a union why not object to them); Why can't businesspeople look after themselves but they have Chambers of Commerce all over the country (that"s a union why not object to them).  But no, this Oaf ex-worker only objects to workers organising to protect their interests. For everyone else to organise to protect their own interests that's OK by cods because that's what the Daily Telegraph  told her every morning on queue for the last 50 years.

I have spent my whole life without a union and the SMALLEST company I worked for was $7bn in revenue.
Daunting eh?????? LOL.

Well if you believe the men 20 years older than me who need to behind somebody else to their bidding.

Jeez what a bunch of men eh?

Can't negotiate without a union. Pathetic.
I did it when I was 23... It really ain't hard.

It ain't  hard until they say, sorry your not getting that.?.      :(   

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 9:04am:

I have spent my whole life without a union and the SMALLEST company I worked for was $7bn in revenue. Daunting eh?????? LOL. Well if you believe the men 20 years older than me who need to behind somebody else to their bidding. Jeez what a bunch of men eh? Can't negotiate without a union. Pathetic. I did it when I was 23... It really ain't hard.

Oh what a lie this is.  You pretend you didn't go into your first negotiation meeting with your old school tie and a mountain of connections to get you by.  You don't like unions because it means you cant bully workers one by one.  Its funny how these people understand the very fundamentals of politics but when their interests depend on it they will swear to your face that there is no such principle as divide and conquer.  And when you walk into that bosses office you can be sure its not just the boss and you (and for Andrei to pretend otherwise is just another lie).  Its the boss and his personnel staff and his lawyers and his accountants. Your right Andrei. You people are just pathetic

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 9:04am:

I have spent my whole life without a union and the SMALLEST company I worked for was $7bn in revenue. Daunting eh?????? LOL. Well if you believe the men 20 years older than me who need to behind somebody else to their bidding. Jeez what a bunch of men eh? Can't negotiate without a union. Pathetic. I did it when I was 23... It really ain't hard.

Oh what a lie this is.  You pretend you didn't go into your first negotiation meeting with your old school tie and a mountain of connections to get you by.  You don't like unions because it means you cant bully workers one by one.  Its funny how these people understand the very fundamentals of politics but when their interests depend on it they will swear to your face that there is no such principle as divide and conquer.  And when you walk into that bosses office you can be sure its not just the boss and you (and for Andrei to pretend otherwise is just another lie).  Its the boss and his personnel staff and his lawyers and his accountants. Your right Andrei. You people are just pathetic

Good old union bashing and selective quoting what Gillard said before the 2010 election.

Unions are at an all time low. I believe the simian & co wanted to destroy the car industry and SPC Ardmona to destroy the unions involved there. That is treachery.

There have been hardly any strikes—no reason to destroy the unions that are really more bargaining agents except in construction where lack of worker safety is a major concern of unions.

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 9:04am:

I have spent my whole life without a union and the SMALLEST company I worked for was $7bn in revenue. Daunting eh?????? LOL. Well if you believe the men 20 years older than me who need to behind somebody else to their bidding. Jeez what a bunch of men eh? Can't negotiate without a union. Pathetic. I did it when I was 23... It really ain't hard.

Your logical fallacy is anecdotal

Quote:

You used a personal experience or an isolated example instead of a sound argument or compelling evidence. It's often much easier for people to believe someone's testimony as opposed to understanding complex data and variation across a continuum. Quantitative scientific measures are almost always more accurate than personal perceptions and experiences, but our inclination is to believe that which is tangible to us, and/or the word of someone we trust over a more 'abstract' statistical reality.

St George of the Garden wrote on Feb 24^th, 2014 at 9:33am:

Good old union bashing and selective quoting what Gillard said before the 2010 election. Unions are at an all time low. I believe the simian & co wanted to destroy the car industry and SPC Ardmona to destroy the unions involved there. That is treachery. There have been hardly any strikes—no reason to destroy the unions that are really more bargaining agents except in construction where lack of worker safety is a major concern of unions.

Bashing unions is just the first volley in their class war. The more they dirty the unions the better position they'll be in to cut wages and conditions.

...

Employment Minister Eric Abetz will introduce a bill into parliament this week to make it easier for workers to trade off key entitlements, including penalty rates, for more flexible working hours. The bill will also impose fresh restrictions on unions entering workplaces and limit their ability to get pay deals on new resource projects.   

Allowing Workers to choose to trade off key entitlements like including penalty rates, for more flexible working hours, is a great idea. Workers have a right to choose, nothing is wrong with that.

I also support restrictions on unions entering workplaces, its a workplace not a demonstration place, let the workers who CHOOSE to work continue to work, and have your demonstration somewhere else.

Don't forget Labor and Greens, WORKERS HAVE RIGHTS!!