08 Nov 2005
Australian Govt new anti-union laws

ITF ACTION ALERT: Protest at Australian Government’s New Anti-Union Laws

To ITF affiliates in Australia

8 November 2005

Dear Colleagues

The ITF Executive Board, at its meeting on 27 and 28 October, unanimously condemned the repressive anti-union laws currently being introduced to Australia’s federal parliament by the Howard Government.

This new industrial relations legislation will dramatically reduce the rights of workers in Australia to union representation, collective bargaining, minimum employment standards and protection from unfair dismissal.  It virtually dismantles the Independent Industrial Relations Commission; proposes to set minimum employment standards on the basis of “competitiveness” without regard to fairness or decent work standards; and abolishes the existing system of “awards” in which core industry or occupational terms and conditions of employment are negotiated with one which gives virtually total power to the employers.  

Australia’s traditions of democracy, decency and fairness have stood out as a benchmark for many other countries.  This legislation undermines those proud traditions.  We therefore condemn this attack as a threat not only to fundamental workers rights and decent work standards in Australia, but to workers rights and standards around the world.

The ITF joins the international trade union movement in its commitment to fully and actively support the worldwide protest against these laws.  The Australian trade union movement has long played a leading role in international workers’ solidarity.  We are calling upon all our affiliates to join with the international protests being organised by the ICFTU and national union centres on the day of protest on 15 November.  We will be coordinating with the rest of the international union movement to provide continuing solidarity for Australian workers in their struggle against this repressive legislation.

Yours in solidarity

David Cockroft
General Secretary