United Voice News
New AWA's banned from today - the first step in getting rid of Work Choices
A new law banning new Australian Workplace Agreements (AWA's) came into effect today, 28 March 2008.
Louise Tarrant, LHMU National Secretary says:
Today is a milestone in our fight to restore balance and fairness at work.
This is an important first step in winning back rights taken from us by the Liberal Government's unfair Work choices laws.
The new law means:
- Workers have the right to stay on their awards or collective agreements.
- If your employer is pushing an individual agreement at your work YOU DON'T HAVE TO SIGN. Please talk with your delegate, organiser or the Union office.
- If you are employed under an AWA this is a good time to talk with your workmates about fairer forms of employment. Get in touch with your delegate, organiser or Union office to find out about options in your workplace.
The passage of this legislation through Parliament proves workers have the power to change their lives and the course of history.
The Your Rights at Work campaign succeeded in changing government last November. Now we need to continue campaigning to make sure remaining unfair workplace laws are changed. This new law is only the first step. It will be followed by more major changes to laws in the second half of 2008. And we need to keep campaigning to stop employers from trying to use and abuse AWA's.
Together we can create a more just Australia.
