MEDIA
RELEASE
Unions have called for workers’ rights to
meet with union officials to be strengthened following reports that access to
workplaces has been prevented by over-zealous employers.
Employers are taking advantage of
restrictions on union rights to enter workplaces to make it virtually impossible
for workers to discuss industrial issues with union
organisers
In the latest case, a union meeting at a
Not surprisingly, only one worker braved the
onerous restrictions to meet with two union organisers.
Unions are calling for an overhaul of the
right to entry rules established under Work Choices.
Work Choices grants unprecedented powers to
bosses to determine where and when union meetings can be held, and even what
route union officials can take through a building.
“It is every worker’s democratic right to be
represented by a union, and to meet with union organisers in their workplace,”
says ACTU Secretary
“But Work Choices has imposed immense
barriers between workers and their unions which employers have taken advantage
of to prevent proper representation.
“Labor’s pledge to scrap Work Choices and
restore rights to collective bargaining should also include strengthening the
rights to entry to workplaces for union officials.”
In the case of Geon
Management was initially evasive about the
time that lunch breaks were held, and when two union organisers arrived at 12pm
insisted that the meeting would have to be held outside in the car park/loading
zone rather than the meal room.
The union officials expressed their concerns
that the location for the meeting was dangerous and inappropriate, but
management refused to budge.
The Geon Australia case is not unique. Last
month, male and female workers at a
“Unions do not expect unfettered access to a
work site, but employers should treat their workforce with some respect,” Mr
Lawrence says. “The balance under Work Choices has tipped too far in favour of
employers, and this has diminished rights at work.
“We will be highlighting this issue during meetings with the federal government as it prepares its legislation to abolish Work Choices.”
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