CPSU slams cyncial AWA changes

Date: 04 May 2007

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has accused the Government of merely tinkering around the edges" of WorkChoices with the announcement of a new 'fairness test' for AWAs.

The union is calling for a meaningful, legislated guarantee that would ensure no worker would be worse off by signing an AWA, compared to their Award or Collective Agreement.

The CPSU represents 60,000 workers in the Commonwealth Public Service and Telstra, several thousand of whom are currently on AWAs.

CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones said: "If the Government is fair-dinkum about a 'fairness test' they should legislate for a meaningful test, rather than the half-measures announced today.

"As we understand it, this new fairness test will only apply to the nine 'protected' award conditions. This means important employment conditions outside the nine - such as redundancy entitlements - will still be under threat from AWAs.

"The workers we represent - many of whom had no choice when it came to signing AWAs - want a real 'no-disadvantage test' in place, not this cynical, political half-measure.

For comment: Stephen Jones 0417 261 152

For further information

Contact:	Stephen Jones
Union:	CPSU - National Secretary
Phone:	0417 261 152

LaborNET is proudly created, designed and programmed
by Social Change Online for the Labor Council of NSW
[Credits] [Site Matters]