MEAA JOIN COMPO CAMPAIGN

Date: 06 April 2001

NSW Performers, Orchestra members and Sydney Opera House workers joined their New South Wales colleagues to stop the passage of the Government's new Workers Compensation Bill.

Fiona Press, NSW Performer said "What is going to become of injured dancers, actors and stunt performers? Because we work for different employers on an irregular basis, it has always been difficult for us to succeed in workers compensation claims if we are injured, this will only make it worse. I am also concerned that a lot of artists might refuse to come to work in New South Wales on films, TV or in Theatre if they fear they won't be adequately compensated should they be injured."

Peter Jenkin, President of the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra Players Committee said he is appalled that the Government would consider reducing already inadequate compensation to musicians suffering from hearing loss by 60%.

On one hand the Government has us working in the Sydney Opera House Pitt which is publicly acknowledged to have occupational health and safety difficulties and now under the proposed legislation we would have to struggle to get compensated for any injuries working in their workplace.

John West, Co-Convenor of delegates at the Sydney Opera House and President of the Theatrical Section of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance, said he would not cop any tougher restrictions to access to Workers Compensation than already exist. Injured Theatre workers often find it difficult to prove their Workers Compensation claims under the current system without union and legal assistance. Changes that make it harder for Theatre workers to be protected are just not on.

For further information

Contact:	Michel Hryce
Union:	MEAA
Phone:	9333 0999
Email:	mhryce@meaa.aust.com
WWW:	http://www.alliance.org.au

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