Workplace watchdogs deserve choice

Date: 29 May 2007

The CPSU has welcomed the announcement of several hundred new jobs to administer the Government's latest workplace changes, but it wants the new 'watchdog' staff to be given a choice between working under a collective
agreement or an AWA individual contract.

New arrangements announced by Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey yesterday, will see the Workplace Ombudsman (formerly OWS) get 74 extra staff and the Workplace Authority (formerly OEA) grow by 502.

Under current Government and Department policy, new starters in both agencies must sign an AWA to get a job.

CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones has called on Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey to "demonstrate his commitment to a genuine fairness test" by allowing new starters choose between an AWA and a collective agreement.

"The Government has spent the last 12 months telling the community WorkChoices was fair. But the latest changes demonstrate the Government's laws are far from fair. Employers still have all the say in a workplace, and that's not fair or democratic.

"To prove these changes are more than just pre-election, window dressing, Mr Hockey needs to give his own employees real options and respect their democratic choices - even when they choose union collective agreements.

"This area has been seriously under-resourced in the past and the introduction of new staff is an ideal opportunity for the Government to lead by example and become a model employer," Mr Jones said.

Meanwhile a recent CPSU survey of over 800 AWA employees in the Department of Workplace Relations (DEWR) has revealed major staff concerns the lack of choice. In particular, it found;

- 62% of DEWR staff surveyed were given no choice other than an AWA

- more than half were given no opportunity to 'negotiate' changes to their AWA

- 85% wanted to be given a choice between an AWA and a collective agreement.

For comment: Stephen Jones   or 0417 261 152

For further information

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

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