ID :
109834
Fri, 03/05/2010 - 07:27
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/109834
The shortlink copeid
Gillard rejects call to help workers
Federal Workplace Relations Minister Julia Gillard has rejected a union's call to
intervene on behalf of workers who have lost out from the award modernisation
process.
While the federal government promised no worker would be left worse off, aged-care
nurses stand to lose $300 a week while workers at registered clubs in NSW face
weekly pay cuts of $130.
Under the Fair Work Act's transitional provisions, workers can apply for take-home
pay orders if the award streamlining process hits their pay packets. The orders
allow workers to revert to entitlements in their old award if the new national one
leaves them at a disadvantage.
But the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union says most of its members would
be apprehensive about taking their boss to Fair Work Australia.
The union's NSW assistant secretary Tara Moriarty argues the union would not be able
to run 43,000 cases covering workers at 1500 registered clubs, who each stand to
lose up to $128 a week.
"Our union strenuously opposed the cuts to pay and allowances in the new clubs award
and has called on Workplace Relations Minister Julia Gillard to intervene," she
said.
A spokesman for the deputy prime minister rejected the union's call for her to
intervene on their behalf.
"Unions can obtain take-home pay orders for a class of employees and not make
individual applications for each employee," he said.
Workers can also call Fair Work Australia directly.
But with many employees unaware about the industrial changes, the Australian Council
of Trade Unions resolved in Melbourne on Thursday to take legal action against any
employer who cuts pay.
"If employers dodge this commitment and go ahead undercutting wages and conditions,
we will vigorously pursue collective agreements, take-home pay orders and other
legal remedies," ACTU secretary Jeff Lawrence said in a statement.
While the ACTU supports the award modernisation process, Mr Lawrence said it had led
to many disappointing decisions for low-paid workers.
Ms Gillard told the National Press Club in February the process to streamline 4000
state awards in 120 national standards had concluded.
The minister intervened on behalf on retail and catering employers last year as the
award overhaul left them paying higher penalty rates.
The award streamlining process was finalised in January, but the changes do not come
into effect until July 1.
intervene on behalf of workers who have lost out from the award modernisation
process.
While the federal government promised no worker would be left worse off, aged-care
nurses stand to lose $300 a week while workers at registered clubs in NSW face
weekly pay cuts of $130.
Under the Fair Work Act's transitional provisions, workers can apply for take-home
pay orders if the award streamlining process hits their pay packets. The orders
allow workers to revert to entitlements in their old award if the new national one
leaves them at a disadvantage.
But the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union says most of its members would
be apprehensive about taking their boss to Fair Work Australia.
The union's NSW assistant secretary Tara Moriarty argues the union would not be able
to run 43,000 cases covering workers at 1500 registered clubs, who each stand to
lose up to $128 a week.
"Our union strenuously opposed the cuts to pay and allowances in the new clubs award
and has called on Workplace Relations Minister Julia Gillard to intervene," she
said.
A spokesman for the deputy prime minister rejected the union's call for her to
intervene on their behalf.
"Unions can obtain take-home pay orders for a class of employees and not make
individual applications for each employee," he said.
Workers can also call Fair Work Australia directly.
But with many employees unaware about the industrial changes, the Australian Council
of Trade Unions resolved in Melbourne on Thursday to take legal action against any
employer who cuts pay.
"If employers dodge this commitment and go ahead undercutting wages and conditions,
we will vigorously pursue collective agreements, take-home pay orders and other
legal remedies," ACTU secretary Jeff Lawrence said in a statement.
While the ACTU supports the award modernisation process, Mr Lawrence said it had led
to many disappointing decisions for low-paid workers.
Ms Gillard told the National Press Club in February the process to streamline 4000
state awards in 120 national standards had concluded.
The minister intervened on behalf on retail and catering employers last year as the
award overhaul left them paying higher penalty rates.
The award streamlining process was finalised in January, but the changes do not come
into effect until July 1.
