ASU Action on ACTTAB

Date: 04 October 2002

The Australian Services Union Clerical and Administrative Branch will consider disaffiliating with the ACT Branch of the Australian Labor Party following the Government's blatant disregard for ACTTAB workers.

The ASU has condemned the ACT Government over its decision to re-locate the Territory's betting agency, ACTTAB to Gunghalin. This decision was made despite intense lobbying over the past two years by union members employed at ACTTAB.

When ACT Planning Minister Simon Corbell first announced in late 2000, as part of his electioneering for the 2001 elections, the intention to relocate ACTTAB, the ASU sought an urgent meeting with him on behalf of members. He gave an undertaking that, should he become Minister, he would consult with the union and take the opinions of the employees into consideration before making any decision regarding ACTTAB.

This consultation and consideration has never occurred.

The union conducted a member survey to determine their opinion on the proposals regarding the location of ACTTAB. They were asked to respond to one of the following:

1: Move to a new site in Gunghalin.
2: Move to a building somewhere else in Canberra.
3: Re-develop the site at Dickson.

The result was overwhelmingly to re-develop the Dickson site. This site is currently is in a chronic state of disrepair. Repairs and re-development have been promised for over eight years. Now the Government's decision to relocate ACTTAB condemns the employees to continue to work in unacceptable conditions for at least another eighteen months to two years.

The union also took up a petition from the majority of its members, which was given to the Government prior to the recent cabinet meeting to decide the agency's future. There was no response from the Government. The Government has obviously disregarded the wishes of the people who will be forced to make this change.

The ACTTAB re-location will be a huge cost to ACT taxpayers - it is estimated that the Telstra lines alone to ACTTAB at Gunghalin would cost up to $1.5m to install.

ASU NSW State Secretary Michael Want has criticised the Labor Government over its lack of consultation with an affiliated union of the ACT Labor Party.

"The ASU will now consider its position as far as remaining an affiliate of the ACT Branch. The Government is not listening to the concerns of the union or its members. Arbitrary decisions to fulfil a pre election promise that should never have been made without consultation with those affected, is not something this union takes lightly" Mr Want said.

For further information please contact Christine Tutty on 0419 403 451.

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/

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