Unions call to NT Chief Minister

Date: 11 January 2005

Public Sector Unions are dismayed at the lack of process and goodwill shown to workers in the latest round of enterprise bargaining with the Government and are calling on the Chief Minister to step in and resolve the issue before more damage is done.

In a meeting of Public Sector Unions yesterday, serious problems were identified with regard to reported balloting irregularities and concerns expressed around the security of the ballot in general.

Unions had already identified shortcomings in the negotiation process with the OCPE (Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment) when they failed to deliver on undertakings on the timing of back pay for workers.

Irene Monro, Secretary of the NT LHMU, one of the major Unions involved in the negotiations said " First there was disappointment for members who did not receive their back-pay by the end of the year, when they really needed it.

" Now we have a question mark over the voting process. These are serious enough issues to warrant the Chief Minister stepping in to determine why they have happened and we call on her to do so.

"The Unions are now concerned about what these breaches mean for the appropriate implementation of the NT Public Sector Agreement and importantly what it means for future negotiations with the Government in general."

The Public Sector Agreement, which covers thousands of Northern Territory Public Sector employees, is due for certification in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission in the coming weeks.

Unions will be seeking clear undertakings from Government prior to the certification before committing to supporting the certification of the Agreement.

For further information contact:

Irene Monro,LHMU NT Secretary, (08) 89815611

For further information

Contact:	Andrew Casey
Union:	Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union
Phone:	8204 7206
Fax:	92821 4480
Email:	andrewc@lhmu.org.au
WWW:	http://www.lhmu.org.au/

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