HANDS OFF
WORKERS’ REPS – SIGN OF THINGS TO COME
24
August 2005
A worker who was
victimised by a federal government agency because of his role as a
union delegate has the wholehearted support of his colleagues as he
takes his case to the federal court.
SA Unions
secretary Janet Giles says the unfair mistreatment of Centrelink
employee Paul Willson is a bad omen for life under the Federal
Government harsh new industrial regime.
“Paul Willson
was denied a pay rise because of his work supporting and
representing his colleagues.”
“This is
discriminatory, undemocratic and un-Australian” Ms Giles says.
“Forebodingly,
it’s a taste of what conditions will be like when the federal
government’s workplace attack begins to bite.”
“Centrelink
worker delegates are already being penalised for assisting their
colleagues, and steps are being taken to prevent them carrying out
their duties. It makes of mockery of the government’s claim that the
IR changes aren’t aimed at crushing unions, when such attempts are
already happening.”
“Mr Willson
believes in democracy, freedom of association and the right to help
others to achieve a fair deal in the workplace. He’s taking the
matter to the Federal Court, with the support for his union, the
CPSU.”
“A rally of
workers outside Centrelink in the city today will leave the federal
government in no doubt about community disgust at its actions, and
the utter contempt with which they view the government’s IR attack”
Ms Giles says.
WORKERS RALLY TO SUPPORT CENTRELINK DELEGATE PAUL WILLSON
Today, Wednesday August 24, 191 Pulteney Street, Adelaide, 12.30pm