*I time and again, my union too, became an employers safety net! yes a trade union*

That is wonderful Belly, but that is you. Fact is that if a company
is forced to deal with a thug union, the thugs hold all the cards.

That is not negotiation, its standover tactics. Its not about the
poor in China, its about thuggery.

My advice to employers, build your factory somewhere else.

Dear Belly,

What would any of us have done without Unions
in this country. How easily we forget all that
has been achieved for us by them. And there's
still more to be done. It takes a very brave
worker to be able to stand up and negotiate
good working conditions with their employer
all on their own.

Here in Victoria we've just had the announcement
that Two of our major hospitals cannot cope due
to staff shortages and lack of funding in their
emergency departments and on top of that they have
closed down so many beds. And this as a result of
the newly elected Liberal Government.

And this is only the beginning.

I hope this thread is a long one we have much to talk about.
One poster as is his way, has left a steaming heap of the product of the south bound end of a north bound Bull already.
In one mans lifetime, mine, Industrial relations has gone from tough open warfare to negotiating in good faith.
No Halos issued over that table, EBAs are often tainted by lies Union/workers ones, Bosses ones, and media ones.
After being there I can read between the lines, this Quantas one has both sides lie telling.
Know this, two RTA CEO,s one no lessor man than the infamous Max the Axe Max Moore Wilton, came out in the street to say sorry, for lies told at that table.
I want proof, demand it! that a construction laborer earns that money.
But warn some live to work, pay homes in record time work 12 hour days no day of for weeks.
Laundryman on 400.000 come mate prove it!
Listen, hear me, if I ever lie to protect unionism shoot me.
EBA bought in by a labor government is the best thing ever in IR.
In other posts I will talk of real hard proven productivity increases that can and will be won there.
Tell me, if business prices are pegged, in the national interests will that be ok?
No it will not.
How did our next door neighbors become an enemy? what is so wrong with the bloke who mows lawns for a living wanting to have a lifestyle like ours.
How can we avoid talking of bosses who never paid superannuation contributions, and got away with it.
If to save this country unionists need to take a pay cut every one must.

Some people INSIST the ALP and Unions exist for one another.
It is no longer true not always.
But please do not be blind.
Conservatives, see current policy's re baby leave for those on $150.000 a year, are bosses close mates.
Union officials are head hunted for IR jobs in private enterprise.
Ex conservative ministers get start in bosses unions.
Media, all of it,is owned for two things POWER and PRIVILEGE.
Do you see why half truth gets a run EVERY TIME? 400.000 a year for washing cloths, are some silly enought to think that.
No one set of rules can serve every industry.
impacts include, some leave jobs to follow higher wages, skills are not easy to replace.
Low paid jobs bring low impact workers not committed ones.
productivity increases are a must, but not at the expense of worker health, EG bonuses for not taking sick leave equal sick workers at work.
Safety, bonus for no lost time injury's see them hidden and some times real trouble.
I propose true cost cutting with out pain and increases for later in this thread yabby, my case was that union and one of many, my union is a refuge and always will be both workers and bosses
are fleeing them, that feels good to say.
In time to come, nothing to do with one mob media all of it, will have to face its biases and deliberate misinformation.

And this as a result of
the newly elected Liberal Government.
Lexi,
How much was left in coffers when this Govt took over from Labor ?

Dear Individual,

A better question to ask would be - How much did the
Labor government have to spend to clean up the
enormous cut backs and the dire straits that the
Kennett Government left behind. The State was left in
a dreadful mess. Major Public Hospitals especially were hard hit
to the extent that wards were shut down for weeks, shortage
of nursing staff, critical equipment essential for patient care
was run down, no spare parts were provided, and junked
equipment stood in emergency exit corridors for cannibalisation
for spare parts. This comes from an engineering person
responsible for maintenance at a major public hospital.

Under Labor hospitals started to slowly recover until the
state elected a new Liberal Government. Now we are beginning
to see the same early signs that presented themselves under
the previous Liberal Government.

Of course the Grand Prix which costs millions in taxpayer's
money was more important than the health of the general
population. It was meant to expire at the end of the original
contract - but it appears that the new Government intends to
maintain it at an ever increasing annual loss.