Win for Vic unfair dismissal rights

Date: 27 November 2008

The Australian Workers Union win for a racing steward employed at Harness Racing Victoria is a major victory for the unfair dismissal rights of all Victorian public servants.

Harness Racing Victoria tried to set a precedent by challenging the jurisdiction of the Public Sector Standards Commission to hear unfair dismissals cases.

Injustice for Victorian public servants

" Had Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) won it would have been a shocking precedent creating serious injustice for many hundreds, and possibly thousands of employees in Victoria covered by the Public Administration Act," AWU Victoria Secretary Cesar Melhem said.

 "  HRV,  a State Government statutory body, tried to step around the Public Sector Standards Commission to take away our members unfair dismissal rights.

Depressing to find a state body using yesteryears workplace values

"  Australians  want a fair and balanced workplace regime. It is what they voted for at the last Federal election.

"  So it is really depressing when you find a state government statutory body still trying to operate under the discredited workplace values of yesteryear," Cesar Melhem said.

AWU slapped down challenge to jurisdiction

" The HRV tried to argue that they employed less than 100 people and the racing steward was an'officer' therefore  unfair dismissal rights did not protect their workforce. 

 " The challenge to the jurisdiction of the Public Sector Standards Commission has been slapped down.

" Our member, Leigh Kirby,  will now have his unfair dismissal case heard on December 15, 2009, and we expect we have the evidence to win the case," Cesar Melhem said.

For further information

Contact:	Cesar Melhem
Union:	AWU Victoria
Contact Mobile:	0418597822
WWW:	http://www.awu.net.au/

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