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The Forum > Article Comments > Delivering to the unions > Comments

Delivering to the unions : Comments

By John Roskam, published 14/9/2009

The shape of the industrial relations regime under Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard is becoming clear.

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John
It worries me that the employer has stated that there are some issues that are non negotiable. These may be the very issues the unions see as important to their members. What is stopping the employers stating all aspects of an agreement are non negotiable? What avenue would the unions have to negotiate a new agreement?
Your article would be better if you stated the non negotiable elements of the employer.The readers could judge the significance for themselves, and decide if the unions were being reasonable with their claim.

Wadey
Posted by wadey, Monday, 14 September 2009 7:08:43 PM
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Until the unions redefine their role and responsibilities in society and make themselves relevant which they had ample time to do under Howard with their numbers dwindling and their influence almost totally irrelevant they will always be just the rump of the Labour Party.

Today we don't live in a new year, or decade, or century but a totally new millennium. No matter what sweetheart deals Rudd has made with them, I think that they will limp along looking back at the good old days while losing the remainder of whatever relevance they might have left.

Rudd is first and foremost a politician, The Prime Minister, and his sole overriding concern is to be re-elected and if the unions get in his way he will simply push them aside. I think you will see a totally different Rudd if his numbers start slipping due to the unions and a different more business orientated spin put on Fair Work Australia.
Posted by drooge, Monday, 14 September 2009 11:41:34 PM
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The reason that Unions were created in the first place has not changed.

Despite all the warm and cuddly marketing by benevolent and righteous employers there are still large numbers of workers being exploited and cheated and workplace deaths and injuries due to employer negligence are still happening.

Minimum conditions have always been set by the rogue employers and the more reasonable ones have to match them to stay competitive.

Somehow I don't think Rudd & Co would be likely to put downward pressure on the minimum wage as the previous encumbents had made their intentions known.

Recent attempts by Telstra to bypass the Unions by refusing to negotiate with them and introduce local ECAs has since backfired and they have had to return to the bargaining table. Negotiation difficulties and threats do not always originate from the Union side.
Posted by wobbles, Wednesday, 16 September 2009 2:17:22 AM
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