Commission Invades Private Lives

Date: 30 May 2002

The Australian Services Union (Clerical & Admin Branch) has reacted angrily at the subpoena by the Building Industry Royal Commission of the diaries of clerical staff working for the CFMEU since January 1996.

ASU Secretary Michael Want says he is disgusted with this gross invasion of privacy and questions why the Commission would want to look at the diaries of clerical staff. "We have a 16 year old member who is having her diary subpoenaed for a Building Commission - like most workers she uses her work diary to record personal activities and I can see no logical reason that her diary will be of any use to the Commission."

Mr Want believes that the Commission can only be described as voyeuristic in its approach to the diaries. "These are non-industrial staff who were doing their jobs, why are they now to have the humiliation of their diaries being presented to a Royal Commission?"

Mr Want added that the clerical staff are not subject to any investigation and that the employees are not involved in the day to day industrial activities of their employer. "We have the situation where personal ministerial staff can not be forced before a Senate Inquiry because they are "doing their jobs", however clerical staff working for a union can be forced to have their diaries put under scrutiny. John Howard's Government shows it's double standards by allowing these workers to have their personal liberties abused in this way."

The ASU has called on the NSW Labor Council to assist with action to force the withdrawal of the subpoena.

For further detail please contact ASU Secretary Michael Want on 0409 128 164.

For further information

Contact:	Michael Want
Union:	Australian Services Union NSW Clerical & Administrative Branch
Phone:	(02) 9265 8211
Fax:	(02) 9261 2265
Email:	office@asuclerical-nsw.asn.au
WWW:	http://asuclerical-nsw.asn.au/

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