Qld's First Major Review of Awards

Date: 23 August 2001

Today the Queensland Council of Union (QCU) lodged its submissions in the first major review of Awards in Queensland.

QCU General Secretary Grace Grace said the Award Review Case will be heard across five days before a full bench of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission from September 17-25.

"We anticipate that this test case will set principles for the review of all Queensland state Awards which has to take place before July 1 next year," Ms Grace said.

"The QCU believes this will provide a fair and balanced outcome for workers in Queensland," she said.

"This case will strengthen the award system in Queensland because it is not shackled by the type of legislation under the Howard government," Ms Grace said.

Items in the Award Review case include greater protection for part time workers, relevance of exemption clauses, model clauses, facilitative provisions and dispute procedures.

"We are disappointed that employers are attempting to use this Award Review Process to strip away workers conditions," Ms Grace said.

"Employers should understand that the Peter Beattie Labor government's legislation is vastly different to Howard's 'stripping back' agenda," she said.

"The Award Review case will ensure that Queensland workers under Awards are not disadvantaged by outdated provisions and clauses no longer relevant in today's workforce," Ms Grace said.

This is the first major review of Awards under the new Labor government's Industrial Relations Act.

For media comment contact General Secretary Grace Grace on (07) 3846 2468 or 0418 782 654 or Assistant General Secretary Chris Barrett on (07) 3846 2468 or 0418 156 289

For further information

Contact:	Liz Phillips
Union:	Queensland Council of Unions
Phone:	07 3846 2468
Contact Mobile:	0407 624 475
Email:	lizp@qcu.asn.au
WWW:	http://www.qcu.asn.au

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