Howard Government Snubs Workers

Date: 06 October 2005

As the Howard Government gears up to spend $20 million of taxpayers money in a bid to persuade the Australian people that it is fair to sack workers and take away their rights at work, they have ignored a free opportunity to explain their proposed legislation and snubbed over 200,000 workers across NSW.

In July the United Services Union extended an invitation to Mr Andrews, the Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, to address the Union's Biennial Conference. The union outlined the issues of concern that they wanted the Minister to address.

The USU believed the September conference, to be attended by over 200 elected rank and file delegates representing over 200,000 workers across the local government, energy, airlines and clerical and administrative sectors, was an excellent opportunity for the Government to answer the concerns of many Australian workers and their families.

Instead the union heard nothing from Mr Andrews' office for nearly three months. "He did not even have the courtesy to respond to our invitation," said USU Executive President Michael Want. In addition he said, "It seems that Mr Andrews and his Government are happy to spend the hard earned taxes of these workers but could not even be bothered to give them one hour of his time to explain his proposed legislation."

Eventually after a follow up from the USU Mr Andrews' office confirmed that Mr Cadman, Liberal Member for Mitchell would be available to address the Conference and answer the union's concerns.

However Mr Cadman's office refused to return any of the union's calls. "We ended up with an empty seat at the Conference Forum," said Michael Want.

"The Government was clearly trying to avoid this opportunity to promote their legislation, instead preferring to hide behind their $20 million ad campaign. As a member of the Prime Minister's Taskforce to promote the Industrial Relations reforms you would think that Mr Cadman would jump at the chance to promote what he and his government believe is a positive step for Australian workers and their families, instead they avoid answering the questions of Australian workers and say they are too busy. It was an insult to our members," said Mr Want.

The United Services Union will continue to push the Government for answers to the questions put to the Minister in July. "He and his Government had three months to answer the concerns of these workers and they did nothing - not even prepare a Conference paper. We have to ask - what have they got to hide?" asked Michael Want.

For further information please contact USU Executive President Michael Want on (02) 9265 821 or 0409 128 164.

For further information

Contact:	Michael Want
Union:	United Services Union
Phone:	(02) 9265 8211
Email:	united@usu.org.au
WWW:	http://www.usu.org.au

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