Thursday 7th December 2006
What rights? Residents Protest Against New IR Laws

Being employed for 20 years and getting the sack from your boss without him or her having to speak to you directly or giving you a reason is real. A shift worker getting the sack because they didn't want to sign a contract which would take all penalty rates, loadings, overtime and allowances in return for a two cent an hour pay rise is real.
Finishing your HSC and trying to negotiate an Australian Workplace Agreement with fair conditions for your first ever job with a business who can get lawyers to draw up a contract is just how it is these days. Eden residents were shown that these scenarios were not only legal under the Howard Government's new Industrial Relations [IR] laws but have already become a reality for many workers in Australia.

These issues came to light when a crowd of more than 100 residents gathered at the Eden Fishermen's Recreation Club on Thursday morning to show their disgust with the new IR structure and to demand a fair go. The group included representatives from Fisheries, State Forest, MUA, church groups, and the Eden High School. They weren't alone.

Across the nation, capital cities and hundreds of towns like Eden used satellite television to participate in what could almost be described as a "virtual" rally orchestrated from the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which was three quarters full of protesters, even with three train lines down.
This kind of protesting is a far cry from the beginning of the workers movement at the turn of last century where speakers travelled continuously by horseback to reach places like Eden and protest songs like Waltzing Matilda were sung to voice the woes of workers.

Craig Malcom of the Far South Coast Community and United Unions addressed the gathered workers and gave a whirlwind education on what changes meant to employees [listed below].
"Unions are about sticking together and encouraging people," he said.
"We are people who can make a change.
"These changes strip workers of basic rights and leave only five minimum conditions for your employers to fulfil.
"Unfair dismissal laws have been taken from 3.7 million Australians with fees of $6000 for those who ask for protection from unfair dismissal.
"Union activity is further restricted, with unions who request occupational health and safety training can be fined up to $30,000."
"Your local member, Gary Nairn supported these changes."

Mr Malcom also asked those present to join an online database which he said would assist in the flow of information and invitations to events.
"It is so important that people like you are informed so that opportunities to speak out and seek change are not lost," he said.
With the community already grappling with political and financial pressures, and with Christmas on its way, Mr Malcom said may tempting to leave this issue to the devoted followers, but ACTU campaigners needed ongoing support to keep raising awareness of the industrial relations changes and to register growing unrest within the community with the Howard Government.
Who knows, he said, the last stand could well be taken in the voting booths.

Conditions no longer guaranteed:
• Rostered days off
• Public holiday pay
• Annual leave loading
• Overtime pay
• Penalty rates for shift and weekends
• Casual and part-time loadings
• Redundancy pay
• Allowances such as meal, travel, clothing and tools.

The five conditions required in any workplace agreement:
• A minimum wage, currently $12.75 for workers over 21.
• Annual leave of four weeks, two of which can be cashed out.
• Sick/carers leave of 10 days a year.
• A 38 hour week which can be averaged out to eliminate overtime.
• Unpaid parental leave of up to 52 weeks.

Statistics:
• 87 per cent of Australian voters support the right to join unions.
• 72 per cent of Australian workers want protective unfair dismissal laws.
• 63 per cent of Australian Workplace Agreements cut wages.
• 51 per cent cut overtime pay.
• 36 per cent cut public holidays.

More information is available at:
• South Coast Labour Network: www.sclc.com.au
• Your rights at work: www.rightsatwork.com.au
• Community Action Network: www.unionsnsw/org.au/can
• Far South Coast Community and United Unions 6495 0559 or 6495 9653
Send a text to 199 188 77 with your name, address and postcode to join the Your Rights at Work Campaign and register your support

Wednesday 31st May 2006
Merimbula Dinner
'On the Road' Bus Tour

When the recent ‘on the road’ bus tour visited the communities of the Far South Coast of NSW many exhibited a very keen interest with regards the ramifications of the new law changes imposed by the Howard Government.
An evening dinner organized by the Far South Coast Community & United Unions in conjunction with Unions NSW & the South Coast Labour Council was well presented at the Merimbula RSL.The dinner which highlighted how workchoices will impact on tourism saw a full house with at least 60 individuals turned away.
John Robertson, Secretary UNIONS NSW and Arthur Rorris, Secretary SCLC both spoke in depth about changes to workplace laws.
Guest speaker of the evening Sandra Nori MP, highlighted the fact that due to the new laws, people will have to be a lot more selective with their disposable income, especially when considering holidays, she said.

[Merimbula Dinner Attendees]