An Official End To WorkChoices - ANF Celebrates

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 30 Jun 2009 - 5:00 PDT

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The Australian Nursing Federation joined other unions in celebrating the end of WorkChoices.

Lee Thomas, ANF Assistant Federal Secretary said the Fair Work Act will bring improved access for all workers to collective bargaining and union representation.

"It is great for us to be able to say to the 170,000 ANF members 'as of tomorrow you will have access to more complete union representation and therefore better working conditions."

"We look forward to working with employers, particularly aged care employers in the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements for our members."

The changes to unfair dismissal laws also provide more protections to employees and mean employers must have good reason to sack a worker.

"Employers will not be able to pressure employees with the threat of termination, if an employee has proven their worth they should have job security."

Giving people access to union representation, collective bargaining and job security strengthens their rights at work which in the current economic climate is essential.

"The Federal Government should be congratulated on bringing an end to WorkChoices, but so must the union movement who worked tirelessly to see an end to those draconian laws. Ms Thomas said.

"If unions in Australia had failed to organise a campaign to defeat WorkChoices the brunt of the current economic crisis would be squarely placed on the shoulders of working people who would now be facing a very bleak future."

"Nurses, midwives and assistants in nursing are pleased to see all workers gaining the right to fair pay, better working conditions and improved job security. Australian unions understand they have to work with business, but they also understand there is more to a strong economy than the bottom line."

Source
Australian Nursing Federation