Poll loss the end for ALP

[kolchak]

These new IR laws make no scrap of difference to me! I have heard no one actually say how these laws affect the unions to do their job?


Give me some answers...


Role of the unions to me are:

They have the money and the resources to help unfairly dismissed workers, i.e. can pay for good lawyers, also they can bargain for basic wages and allowances, although sometimes in this regard they are full of themselves, i.e. the union with Aust. Post.

 

[frankc]

These new IR laws make no scrap of difference to me! I have heard no one actually say how these laws affect the unions to do their job?


Give me some answers...


Role of the unions to me are:

They have the money and the resources to help unfairly dismissed workers, i.e. can pay for good lawyers, also they can bargain for basic wages and allowances, although sometimes in this regard they are full of themselves, i.e. the union with Aust. Post.

I have not been a member of a union for over 10 years. When I was, they served no purpose what so ever. Since moving to an AWA, I have been in a much better position to increase my remuneration and have done so.

Collective bargaining is effectively cross-subsidisation. The good performers, support the poor performers and get little increased compensation for it.

Any industry where the union is dominant results in a grossly inefficient use of resources and a severe lack of productivity. One must only look at the docks to see the negative impact unions have on productivity.

 

[kolchak]

I've worked in jobs were the union went on strike every second week, and I couldn't understand why? The employees in IMO were on a good wicket, but they are necassary, the best function they serve is providing resources to employees who otherwise would not have access to.

 

[Hawkamania!]

As far as joining a union, it depends on whether your union have people who care about their members or have people who are just remoras looking for ALP jobs and don't give a damn about their members .

Do your research before joining.

 

[Hawk Dork]

8 Hour Day

Annual leave
Was not achieved until 1941, when after a long campaign, the union movement gained one weeks leave.

Annual leave loading
A common benefit in most European countries, was achieved in the 1970s.

Sick leave
Started to appear in awards in the 1920s. Up until then, if you were sick, you went to work, or you went without pay and even faced dismissal.

Long service leave
Was won in Victoria in 1953.

Maternity leave
A 1979 ACTU campaign, followed by a test case in the Arbitration Commission saw unpaid maternity leave, and the job security that goes with it become reality. It is interesting to note that Australia was one of the last industrial nations, East or West, to have maternity leave. We are still one of the few nations without paid maternity leave.

Equal pay for women
Until 1949 women's wages were only 54% of the male rates. They were then upgraded to 75%. In 1972, after a long campaign, Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value was finally achieved. Employers opposed women receiving the same pay as men, and many still do. The sad reality is that pay for women is still lower than that for men.


Workers compensation
First came in WA in 1902. In 1985, after many years of campaigning, a new scheme was launched in Victoria which had 3 distinct arms:

(i) Injury prevention - many employers more responsible for the welfare of their employees.

(ii) Compensation.

(iii) Rehabilitation - helping injured workers to recover, and rejoin the workforce if they can.

As you can see, many significant improvements to working conditions have taken place this century. They have not come about by accident. They have been achieved only after long campaigns, and sometimes bitter struggles. On most occasions, employers and governments opposed the reforms. Without unions, workers would still be expected to work 6 days a week, 52 weeks of the year. If they were sick, they would have to go to work or lose pay. If injured at work, their only chance to recover lost wages would be to sue the employer at common law. Women would still be paid less than men for performing exactly the same work.

 

[frankc]

8 Hour Day

Annual leave
Was not achieved until 1941, when after a long campaign, the union movement gained one weeks leave.

Annual leave loading
A common benefit in most European countries, was achieved in the 1970s.

Sick leave
Started to appear in awards in the 1920s. Up until then, if you were sick, you went to work, or you went without pay and even faced dismissal.

Long service leave
Was won in Victoria in 1953.

Maternity leave
A 1979 ACTU campaign, followed by a test case in the Arbitration Commission saw unpaid maternity leave, and the job security that goes with it become reality. It is interesting to note that Australia was one of the last industrial nations, East or West, to have maternity leave. We are still one of the few nations without paid maternity leave.

Equal pay for women
Until 1949 women's wages were only 54% of the male rates. They were then upgraded to 75%. In 1972, after a long campaign, Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value was finally achieved. Employers opposed women receiving the same pay as men, and many still do. The sad reality is that pay for women is still lower than that for men.


Workers compensation
First came in WA in 1902. In 1985, after many years of campaigning, a new scheme was launched in Victoria which had 3 distinct arms:

(i) Injury prevention - many employers more responsible for the welfare of their employees.

(ii) Compensation.

(iii) Rehabilitation - helping injured workers to recover, and rejoin the workforce if they can.

As you can see, many significant improvements to working conditions have taken place this century. They have not come about by accident. They have been achieved only after long campaigns, and sometimes bitter struggles. On most occasions, employers and governments opposed the reforms. Without unions, workers would still be expected to work 6 days a week, 52 weeks of the year. If they were sick, they would have to go to work or lose pay. If injured at work, their only chance to recover lost wages would be to sue the employer at common law. Women would still be paid less than men for performing exactly the same work.

Not saying unions didn't have a role to play in the past. They have achieved some significant outcomes.

Today, however, they are irrelevent in alot of industries.

 

[Hawk Dork]

No matter who wins this election, I feel the union movement is ultimately dead. Particularly for those in skilled employment.

Dont tell the doctors who are in the AMA that or CPA accountants.
I have run various bussinesses over the last 20 odd years and have joined the Chamber of Commerce because I like the protection a good strong union offers.

 

[Hawk Dork]

Dont tell the doctors who are in the AMA that or CPA accountants.
I have run various bussinesses over the last 20 odd years and have joined the Chamber of Commerce because I like the protection a good strong union offers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eziuTLKKS7U&mode=related&search=