industrial relations omnibus

Unions halt Morrison Govt attack on workers’ rights

March 19, 2021 by Rayan Calimlim Leave a Comment

A concerted effort by workers and their unions have succeeded in stopping the Morrison Government’s Industrial Relations Omnibus Bill.

The Morrison Government was forced to withdraw four of five components of their anti-worker bill after union members successfully lobbied the Senate crossbench to oppose the most extreme parts of the proposal.

Included in the omnibus bill were provisions that would have entrenched insecure work, stunted future wage growth, and given more power to big business to abuse workers’ rights.

Australian Unions Secretary Sally McManus has lauded the events as a win “for working people”.

“Working people have worked tirelessly to defeat the worst aspects of this Bill. Without you we would have devastating changes to the industrial relations system”, she said.

However, she warns that further attacks on workers’ rights may be just over the horizon, with big business continuing its campaign.

“The union movement doesn’t leave any worker behind,” McManus insisted. “Our fight will continue – this is just the beginning”.

The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association stands with the Australian union movement in opposing the Morrison Government’s attacks on workers. You can find out more about the joint union campaign for workers’ rights here.

Morrison gives green light to wage theft

March 19, 2021 by Rayan Calimlim Leave a Comment

The Morrison Government has withdrawn legislation criminalising wage theft in Australia, essentially giving employers the green light to underpay Australian workers.

In a cynical move following their inability to pass their unfair Industrial Relations Omnibus Bill, the Morrison Government has pulled provisions that would have criminalised the practice of intentional wage theft and increased penalties for business engaged in it.

Wage theft has been reported as being at critical levels across the country, including in NSW. Recent examples include those at Rockpool and hospitality group MaDE.

Associate Professor Angela Knox from the University of Sydney described the move as “a missed opportunity to prevent Australia’s wage theft crisis from deepening”.

“The federal government’s unwillingness to protect workers’ wages and ensure a level playing field will spur a race to the bottom.”

Sally McManus from Australian Unions echoed Professor Knox’s comments, calling the move as a “spiteful act” by the Morrison Government.

“[The Federal Government] has removed all wage theft elements which would increased penalties for employers committing wage theft and made it easier for workers to claim stolen wages”.

“We will make sure these issues follow them to the next election – we know Australians won’t back wage theft,” she added.

The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association will continue to work with the Australian union movement to ensure adequate federal legislation on wage theft. You can find out more about the campaign here.

Record low wage growth “a handbrake” on economic recovery

March 4, 2021 by Rayan Calimlim Leave a Comment

Recent Australian Bureau of Statistics show that wage growth has stagnated in Australia for the eighth consecutive year, threatening Australia’s economic recovery.

Driven by low wages growth in the public sector, hospitality and administrative services, 2020’s overall national wage growth has been limited to a mere 1.4%.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has warned of the detrimental effects of wage stagnation to monetary and macroeconomic stability.

Australian Unions Secretary, Sally McManus, has condemned the new figures as threat to our economic recovery and consumer confidence.

“This will put a permanent handbrake on our economy and our recovery”.

McManus has called on the Morrison Government to act urgently to address the issue, beginning with dropping its current Industrial Relations Omnibus bill.

The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association support Australian Unions’ campaign to oppose the Industrial Relations Omnibus Bill. To support this campaign or to find out more, visit the For The Workers website.

“Cruel” IR omnibus bill passes Lower House

February 25, 2021 by Rayan Calimlim Leave a Comment

The Morrison Government’s industrial relations omnibus bill has passed its first hurdle by being passed in the Federal House of Representatives.

The bill seeks to shift power away from employees towards employer groups and big business. It will do this by changing current bargaining dynamics, re-defining the definition of a “casual worker” and removing current rights to dispute resolution through the Fair Work Commission that workers and their unions currently hold.

Australian Unions President, Michele O’Neil, said that “The Bill fails to address the systemic issue of insecure work in Australia.

“It shifts power towards big business and leaves working people worse off.

The bill was supported by the Liberals and Nationals, as well as independent MP Zali Stegall. It was opposed by Labor, the Greens, Centre Alliance, Katter’s Australia Party and independent MPs Andrew Wilkie and Dr Helen Haines.