Union rules to remain under IR law: govt

Trade unions will not have the power to take complete control of workplace
bargaining, the federal government says.
Workplace Relations Minister Julia Gillard has described as a "Liberal caricature"
claims that unions could enter workplaces and take over negotiations between
employees and employers.
The government is currently negotiating with the Senate crossbench as it attempts to
have its workplace changes pass parliament by the end of next week.
The government, crossbench senators and the coalition have all flagged amendments to
the Fair Work bill.
"What our bill is about is providing a decent safety net at work," Ms Gillard told
ABC Radio.
The draft laws allow for cooperative workplace relations and current laws requiring
union officials to give 24 hours notice of entry and conducting themselves in a
professional manner on premises would remain.
Even under the previous government's Work Choices regime, trade unions had a role in
seeking industrial compliance in making sure that employers were paying workers
correctly, Ms Gillard said.