Sheesh, everyone misses the point! Why not just let people themselves
decide what they want?

If I was a highly qualified mining engineer, I could negotiate my
own terms to suit myself, my family and my employer. No need for
any union to hold my hand, sorry.

If I was unskilled, not very good at my job, not very good at
negotiation, I might want a union to hold my hand.

So have a system that allows both!

Tony Maher of the CFMEU issued the following press release http://www.cfmeu.com.au/index.cfm?section=5&Category=42&viewmode=content&ContentID=281

Maher’s press release states:

Recent ABS data (6306, Feb 2007) underlines that Australian mining does NOT rely on AWAs -- just 31% of workers in metal ore mines, and only 16% of the mining industry’s workforce are on AWAs. Mining relies more on common law contracts (as provided for in ALP policy) rather than on AWAs. About 55% of metal ore miners are on common law contracts.

The ABS data also shows:

Unionised coal miners earn an average of $46.40 per hour. Largely non-union metal ore miners earn $35.20 per hour. Coal miners earn an average of 32% more.

Maher also cites figures on productivity growth. Since 1996, productivity growth has been negative in gold mining in WA, and average annual productivity growth in the largely collectivised coal industry has been 2.87%, while over the same period it’s been 0.33% in the largely de-unionised WA coal industry.

thanks Crikey http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20070502-Are-AWAs-really-the-backbone-of-the-mining-industry.html

So the ABS has released statistics to demonstrate that the rationale for introducing Workchoices is codswollop. And everyone knows that Freehills wrote the legislation, and wrote 500 pages of amendments, just the thing for small business to wade through and trip up on.

Only 35.20$ an hour Billie! ? My god, the poor dears would be
starving :)

The reality is, that union numbers have dropped through the
floor, workers have voted with their feet. Enforcing
legislation to guarantee union leaders a job, has to be
bad news.

I can sell my house, my livestock or whatever, with or
without an agent, as I choose. Why should selling my
labour be any different?

Let people choose, its as simple as that.

I think that Kevin Rudd is a very talented guy, but
the bad news is that along comes this association with
say in the case of WA building unions, what is no more then
thuggery at taxpayers expense.

One intelligent guy won't make a political party, that's
the reality.

No question the Labor Party is in cahoots with the unions and prostituting itself for its support. Consider this...

When 80 per cent of the workforce negotiates employment terms with the employer, of which salary is but one component, why should there be legislation to address the "perks", ie, what the unions call "the worker's hard fought rights"? Who would work for anyone offering say no holidays, no sick leave or other "entitlements"? Employers have to competitively bid for employees but that is conveniently ignored by unions. A very thin con.

Employment regulations could be compared to legislating for cars to have a certain amount of leather, suede, gadgetry or plushness. Hey, if you dont like the car's finish, what do you do? You buy another.

Joe is right to point the finger. Emperor Rudd is pandering to Trade Unions representing the minority in Australia - most in the government employ with their little perks and reluctant to let them go.

Under Labor, 'no ticket, no start' is back;

Now that's a furphy for a start...That's compulsory Unionism which is not what AWA's and 'work choices' are all about....
The effects of Howard's IR legislation is all about stripping away conditions and removing Union negotiators out of the scene so that the vulnerable become more amenable to the demands of Employers on a one to one basis.

What does an inexperienced young worker say to his employer who introduces a monthly salary payment when he hasn't got the clout of a Union behind him ?

What does he say when told he won't be paid overtime or penalty rates for working week-ends but will be granted 'time in lieu' at a time acceptable to the employer.

And what about unfair dismissal... That's not about getting rid of trouble makers; That's about employing juveniles in place of young workers who reach adulthood and have not made the grade to promotion.
Let us not forget that Employers have always been entitled to reward diligent workers with higher pay.
Awards have only been minimums and Common Law agreements have been around as long as the 50 plus years I was in the labour force.

The long term strategy of conservative governments has been to weaken the Trade Union movement precicely to implement laws such as AWA's and Work Choices. The Patrick dispute was engineered to further that objective. The Rudd / Gillard proposals will only correct some of the excesses of the Howard Government and is far short of Compulsory Unionism.

Kevin Rudd is going too far in demanding 'secret Ballots' before strike action and outlawing 'strike pay'

Secret Ballot is simply a euphemism for court controlled ballot designed to circumvent lightning strikes.

Outlawing strike pay is only a means to starve striking workers back to work without achieving gains.

No Joe ,the sky is not falling because of Labors proposals, Just a step towards a fair and equitable system.

Joe I at least thank you!
Yes fairdinkum you appear on TV as full f lies as a drunk is full of grog and we just have to listen without the chance to tell you how we think.
So now you know, lies are not policy Joe.
You seem blinded in the spotlight unable to defend Howard without the new yardstick lies.
Once more Joe put your self forward to election night, it may well not be too late.
Get rid of Howard and his number one adviser his wife, before the election or wait for Australia to do t.
After Howard you could steal the ALP IR policy's as your party is so often doing and maybe just stumble over the line .
Come back to the threat Joe show us you have some heart.