Part 11

Unions are only as strong as their weakest link and Unionism only functions effectively when members make the decisions assisted by capable and dedicated leadership .

The ACTU’s effectiveness is determined by the resolve of it’s affiliated Unions and where there is reluctance to take industrial action for fear of the imposition of monetary fines, that effectiveness is diminished.
Workers Representatives are fighting with their hands tied so it is incumbent on the ACTU and UNIONS to demand of the ALP to revoke the Howard Government restrictions on workers ability to negotiate working conditions on even terms.

This is not to say that the UNIONS, the ACTU or the ALP are not in need of modification; indeed if the situation prevailing for wage earners in this country are to advance, the three entities have an obligation to settle into a summit and make appropriate changes to become Servants of their constituents and not Masters

Well said Maracas.

Its good to see that labor and the unions are going to take away a persons rights to IR

This is by prohibiting individual contracts and bringing in colective bargening.

so once again the mini howard ensures that workers are still put in their place

tapp not sure wy you believe that Labor and unions are going to take a persons right to negotiate a contract away.

As Beazley said before Chistmas, and no body has contradicted him, that if you want to sign an individual contract it will be protected by common law, same as those contracts have been since forever in Australia.

However the current IR regime makes employees sign AWAs or contracts that are really stripped down awards. When I have signed AWAs I have not been able to negotiate pay rate or hours. When I apply for contracts I have to state my pay rate and then the employer selects those candidates who tender the lowest rates or whatever.

How can the lowest paid contractors eg Virgin airlines cabin crew, [and probably Jetstar] and Coles cleaners earning $500 per week for 12 hour night shifts 7 days per week afford to challenge their pay and conditions through the court system. Remember that if employees compare pay scales they can be fined $33,000 and when they involve a union thats a $100,000+ fine.

The current laws are grossly unfair and tilted in favour of unscrupulous employers.

The money that one company in the public spotlight in March has saved in wages has been spent on refurbishing the Jewish ambulance headquarters and proudly gaining sponsorship rights over the building.

tapp not sure wy you believe that Labor and unions are going to take a persons right to negotiate a contract away.

As Beazley said before Chistmas, and no body has contradicted him, that if you want to sign an individual contract it will be protected by common law, same as those contracts have been since forever in Australia.

Well they have been saying it is out there.
Maybe similar to the NSW IR laws but with changes

I am not going to search for it but found some really good stuff, that i fumbled over so to find the reference will not be easy.
If you want it you may find it but for those who say it is bull then you should really think again.

You dont have to believe me i did download that document though.

Its just like you cant get your heads around what i am doing and why it would be so democratic but to find that out you would have to email me then wouldnt you.

So you all can take my comment as you wish,deny it agree that it could be possible but dont discount it.

But that is your choice.

Much of the time the ACTU does know better. 'Flexibility' can work both ways only when the legislation and the power is more equal which it is not under this Liberal Government. No surprises.

Casing out of annual leave is wrong because morally one should use the accrued time for recreation with family, helping the poor,sport ,and religious devotions such as Mass and Novenas and Eucharistic Adoration. Life is short and eternity is long; very long.

The ACTU and the ALP should realise that to give the balance of power back towards workers, they need to re regulate the fiannce sector, banking and protect manufacturing industries and grow these industries. The ongoing capitulation of our culture, and sovereignity to immoral U.N. treaties that conflict with traditional Catholic social teaching will lead us to loss of identity morally and economically.
We need an NCC/DLP appraoch in morals, economics, unions and everything.
Rudd and Howard's leaving everything to evil liberal party policies and their tipping of the hat to liberal/conservative(read money/establishment) rather than to real religion , that is to say reform of the reform traditional Catholic Faith, will continue to lead to the destruction of the middle class and to the further impoverishment of the working class.