Arjay, Arjay Unions are not the sole cause, when it comes to the destruction of Small Business or any other Business. The simple facts are neither side take a business approach to wages and salaries. If they did, the results would be a win for Business, a win for the Workers and a win for our Nation. Right now the Multi Nationals are only interested in profits thats why our jobs are been exported and they use imported scab labour, who they treat like animals, to take your future. Jack Boot Johhny has been the best friend the Big End of Town ever had. Better known as Howard the Coward, he has done everything possible to bring an American style wages system to this country whereby you would be working in a factory for less than $10 an hour.

Did you know that journalists in Australia are on AWAs. Those at SBS just received their 4% annual award rise. I hope they are smart enough to know most AWAs don't include pay rises for the life of the agreement. I hope journalists also realise that they are in a priviledged position to be so well treated because it's an election year and if they want to they can undermine the government's IR policy.

Unions, both employer and employee were registered from 1904 to represent industries and callings not members! This was done to bring a bloody industrial conflict into a Conciliation and Arbitration system Every State and the Commonwealth established conciliation and arbitration commissions to bring disputing parties under a legal framework.
Unions of employees are required to negotiate wages and conditions of people in an occupation whether or not they are members of that union.
That is why unions think it only fair that non members make a contribution to the effort to win better wages or conditions. But there is no legal way for them to force that contribution, they literally have to rely on the conscience of non members to join.So what can one say or do? Just get on with the job of representing those who support them and accept that non joiners will get benefits for free.

Unions are now required to act in a responsible manner by all parties. But without the Union Movement who is going to Protect Your Rights At Work. Certainly not the Liberal/National Party or the Employer.

So when an Employer enters into negotiations with his employees why should they not have the right to pay one set of conditions to a Union Member and a different set to those who have decided to negotiate on their own behalf.

I for one support the concept that gains made by the Union Movement should apply to members only.

southerner,
In line with your thinking we should go back in time to before the eight hour day and only apply the labour gains made over the past century to the select few who join the union. There were so many gains that we have forgotten what they were and take them all for granted now. Some would say, thanks for all of your help, we should set up a memorial to all of those unionist who got us here (lest we forget etc...) but we do not need you anymore...but is that the case?

vivy,

With the power of my union we were able to produce a win for the Company, a win for the Employer and a win for the Employee. Thats why we are paid a yearly bonsus. You know the Company profits are continue to grow because we treat each other as family.

I hope when you negotiate your own conditions that you know your rights at work.