Work laws should respect Australia’s democratic values – Senate Inquiry told

Australia’s work laws should respect our democratic values, and ensure working people are allowed to have a voice in their workplace.

The Australian community expects their governments to identify and reduce opportunities for unfair competition and unfair workplace practices, which help to create an unfair Australia, the AWU will today tell the Senate Inquiry into Workplace laws.

" Laws which won't allow our members in the mining industry to have free access to advice from their union - especially after mine tragedies - are bad laws which undermine the democratic values that our nation cherishes," Paul Howes, AWU National Secretary, will tell the Senate Inquiry into Workplace Relations when it sits in Sydney today.

Presenting the AWU submission Mr Howes will outline to the Senators at the Inquiry a recent incident at the Cannington mine in Queensland where union OHS people and other union officials were told to sit in a dog box where the management could monitor which worker dared to consult the union about OHS and other matters.

" At this site, and many others where AWAs are promoted, a hostile atmosphere is created for people who want a union voice.

" Our union members in mines across Australia have witnessed the catastrophic aftermath of a number of largely avoidable incidents.

Incidents where unfair AWAs were exploited by - mining operators, and where serious employee injury and death has resulted.

" The divisive and individualistic culture created by AWAs has helped to breakdown the look after your mate mentality which has played a central role in maintaining a safe workplace culture, and avoiding unsafe workplace practices.

" We believe that in an open and democratic society the use of AWAs to intimidate workers and undermine the genuine voice of Australians seeking the support of their union should never again be allowed."