Non-Union Agreements Unsustainable

Date: 19 September 2002

A government report confirms that the Howard Government's aggressive promotion of non-union workplace agreements is causing a reduction in employee consultation and training.

The report Agreement making in Australia under the Workplace Relations Act 2000-01, released by Tony Abbott, reveals -

· Only 20% of non-union agreements provide for employee representation, compared with 81% of union agreements.

· Only 46% of non-union agreements provide for employee consultation, compared with 77% of union agreements.

· Only 67% of non-union agreements provide for employee training, compared with 87% of union agreements.

The report confirms that under the non-union agreements advocated by the Howard Government employees are much less likely to be consulted about important decisions affecting a business, and are less likely to have access to training.

How does Tony Abbott expect employees to embrace workplace change if they're not consulted or offered training?

Tony Abbott obviously thinks employers should copy his approach, which consists of making threats, bashing unions and talking up conflict.

More workplace consultation and training is essential if Australia is to have sustainable productivity growth. They are fundamental, structural long-term issues for the economy.

While the Howard Government blindly pursues its ideological obsessions, only Labor is looking at ways to develop workplace partnerships and to give employees a genuine opportunity to be consulted about workplace change.

For further information

Contact:	Jonathan Kirkwood
Union:	Labor Council of NSW
Contact Mobile:	0425 231 690

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