These new IR laws are evil.

In the 1970s I worked in an un-unionised industry and the standard arrangement was that we took time in lieu when we were called in to fix something at night - people never took their time in lieu. A colleague marked his card when he asked for 3 months off, being the time in lieu that he was owed. It was a great relief when the industry went to paid overtime and minimum call out rates.

Last year I signed an AWA that covered conditions for full time employees - pay rate, hours per week. Unfortunately the AWA didn't cover the casual employee conditions - which was negligent really because all employees were casuals. I was asked to work at 2 hours notice and when I got to the site I was told I wasn't needed. I said that wasn't fair then I discovered there was no minimum pay for being called out, so I had wasted petrol getting to a job that wasn't. This was a low paid job and people who need that money can't afford to mucked around and these IR laws do not protect the low paid worker.

The government's desire to reduce the wages of Australian workers will reduce the worker's disposable income so that demand for non-essential goods and services will fall. Companies that supply non-essential goods and services will see their Australian market disappear and will be forced to find export markets or go out of business. Most Australian firms are too small to break into the American market.

Keven Andrews metioned last night on the ABC that you can be sacked for not having the right personality. Small bussiness is going to suffer from these laws. People will have less money to spend on there products and services and I for one wont chose to work for a small bussiness, I would rather work for a large company that will provide more security and wont sack me because I dont have the right personality.

It is good that Graeme Haycroft employs lots of people. That way lots of people have jobs.

There is this implication in some of the comments that bad employers will cause good employers to lower their standards. I am inclined to think that it is almost always the opposite case.

Stuff you other workers-we building workers have been treated like this for the last thirty years,no super,no long sevice leave,no penalty rates.
When times are good we do OK,when times are bad we are screwed.
You people voted for these jerks,not me.
Welcome to the real world.

Graham,
You can't make your Explanation point until you learn to write.
Is this a sentence?
"After months of dire warnings, gnashing of teeth, and impassioned wailing largely by the self-interested, the morally vain, assorted do-gooders and myriad professional worriers; well - it’s finally all happening."
Does it mean we have all gone to the dentist?
Seems so by gum. The sentence doesn't have any meaning and mouths subjectivity.
Here is an objective sentence for all those who will get it:
"Unemployment!"
That is quite a sentence isn't it.

marklatham
Now you will get screwed in the good times as well as the bad, and no union will be there to protect you. Just who did vote for this mob anyway?