Campaigning for working Australians

The Greens oppose “WorkChoices” and support its repeal because it:

• Creates the possibility of ‘take it or leave it’ individual contracts, or Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs), which put a downward pressure on wages, strip away conditions and undermine workplace rights.
• Undermines unions’ ability to protect and improve working conditions, by restricting the right of unions to enter workplaces to meet with members and potential members.
• Undermines the process of reaching collective bargains by entirely removing employers’ obligations to bargain in good faith.
• Removes workers’ democratic rights as it provides for heavy fines when workers decide to take collective action to resolve their concerns at work.
• Gives power to a small group of economists hand picked by the government, rather than a court, to set minimum conditions. Even the federal government acknowledges that this will lead to lower, or no, rises in the minimum wage.
• Undermines jobs with decent pay and conditions and will drive people, especially young people, away. This has a very serious effect on regional communities.

"WorkChoices" in NSW: it's a state issue

"WorkChoices" and industrial relations are going to be a real issue in the 2007 NSW State Election. Peter Debnam's state Liberals have promised not only to remove the bulk of remaining of legal protections for workers in NSW, but also to sack approximately 20,000 public servants. Workers in NSW know that this will make the election on 24th March 2007 a very important decision. Labor have said that they will retain those protections, but have not responded to Greens calls for comprehensive protections for workers in the public sector.

The Greens have already given notice of legislation to protect NSW workers. Our legislation:

• Confirms that public servants (crown employees) will retain their Award protections.

• Extends the protections from "WorkChoices" to all staff employed in State Government owned corporations, for instance RailCorp and Sydney Water.

• Removes the uncertainty surrounding local government employees - by ensuring that they continue to be treated as public servants, and not as private employees.

• Ensures that workers employed to perform work under contract to the State Government, are paid at a standard established under NSW Awards. This will prevent public money being used to subsidise unfair employment practices, and make sure that workers in the community sector and many other areas the Government are not as vulnerable under the new regime.

The Greens will continue to support any legislation aimed at protecting workers rights. The recent High Court case makes it more difficult than before, which highlights the importance in ending "WorkChoices" of getting more Greens in the Senate at the next Federal Election, so that Howard loses his majority and we can repeal the legislation.

Vote 1 The Greens on Industrial Relations

From Lee Rhiannon MLC's strong stand on workers compensation and rights for injured workers in 2001, to our active participation in the Your Rights At Work campaign, to supporting workers' struggles on protests around the state, the Greens have been the strongest voice for working people in State Parliament. Lee Rhiannon has been an excellent spokesperson on industrial relations, working with unions and the community to make sure the needs of working people in NSW are not forgotten by the powerful.

We want to continue to represent workers in NSW, holding the Government and the corporations to account, and to expand our ability to win improvements for all of our lives. Vote to re-elect Lee Rhiannon in March, and to add John Kaye to our team. John has been working closely with NSW teachers' and their union in advocating for a better funded public education system, and will be another voice for working Australians in NSW Parliament.

Greens Industrial Relations Policy

The Coalition Government’s "WorkChoices" regime attacks the working rights of all Australians since the right to collectively bargain is essential to achieving a sustainable and democratic future. The Greens will abolish the "WorkChoices" regime and replace it with an industrial relations system that protects and enhances the rights of employees and workers. Read a summary of The Greens NSW Industrial Relations Policy, or read the full policy here.

Policy Summary | Policy Details

WorkRights.org.au

The WorkChoice reforms have upset job security and Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) have stripped away pay and entitlements. Tell your story and find out how "WorkChoices" is affecting other Australians. WorkRights.org.au is an initiative of Greens Senator Rachael Siewart, the Parliamentary Industrial Relations Spokesperson for the Australian Greens.

Your Rights at Work

The Your Rights at Work campaign is the ACTU led campaign against the Howard Government's "WorkChoices" legislation. The Greens NSW are strong supporters of the Your Rights At Work campaign.

Rockin' for Rights Protest March

Say no to Howard's new Industrial Relations laws. Protest march from Hyde Park and then rockin' music from Magic Dirt, Something for Kate, The Herd, The Whitlams and many more.
Read more...

Join your union - UnionsAustralia

Today, with "WorkChoices" already starting to bite there has never been a more important time to be part of your union. The ACTU has made it easier than ever before to get in contact with your union and join. Join now and become part of Australia's largest social movement - don't let "WorkChoices" leave you out in the cold.