SA UNIONS LAUNCH CHARTER FOR WORKING SOUTH AUSTRALIANS

24 August 2011

South Australian unions will today kick off the next phase of their campaign for a better and fairer State, with the release of a Charter for Working South Australians.

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says the comprehensive list of demands sets out the priorities working people want to see in our State to improve the lives of all South Australians.

"Our Charter for Working South Australians is our plan to create a better future for this State and its citizens."

"We want to see safer and fairer workplaces, more investment in health and community services, a new focus on tackling poverty and a fairer share for ordinary South Australians of the benefits of the mining boom."

"We want to be a part of creating our future, rather than sitting on the sidelines and saying no to everything like the Liberals do."

"If we don't act now, there is a very real danger that many vulnerable South Australians will be permanently left behind as our economy continues to grow."

Ms Giles says that unions represent more than 180,000 working South Australians and their families and want to know that their government cares if the family breadwinner is injured at work, or if people can't get the health care they need.

"People want to make sure their neighbours who are struggling with mental health issues or disability get the support they need, or that their kids are not being underpaid as apprentices."

Ms Giles stressed that all political parties will be measured against how they respond to the Charter's aims between now and the next election.

"We want to make sure that today's political leaders put measures in place now to protect and improve what we have, rather than leaving it for the next generation when problems will be more deeply entrenched."

"South Australia has achieved great things during the past decade but we need to make sure we keep the momentum going to create an even better future."