Bring on the IR reforms!!!!

**kiwibird27** · 21-03-2006 22:01

Am i the only one not concerned about the change in IR ???? Think its brillant - will mean i can negotiate my own deals instead of being stuck on the standard award, and I won't have to worry about stupid ferry workers going on strike and ruining my day about their pay!!!!!!
What do u guys think?????

**WeThree** · 21-03-2006 22:07

They also mean you can be fined for trying to lodge an unfair dismissal claim amongst other things. Sorry but i find the thought of it very scary indeed, at my DH place of employment they are gearing up for the 'reforms' already, being a goverment run dept, they are rubbing their hands with glee, and many many jobs are already lined up to go, and I am terrified my husbands may be one of them.

**Pixie** · 21-03-2006 22:23

I think it's the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer to be honest.
I use to work under an award and to be honest I am sure the guys I use to work with are very scared.
Some jobs you might even have to be re-interviewd and then denied the job you have perhaps been in for 10 years etc. No I think it's a terrible idea. I see no good to come of it what so ever.

Why will you not have to worry about the ferry workers going on strike?

if you depend on penalty rates, overtime etc that's all going to be taken away, how are hundreds of people around the country going to be able to pay their bills, feed their kids etc. When they are already struggling?

I see the country dividing into two ends like I said Rich and poor to richer and poorer.

**WeThree** · 21-03-2006 22:25

Originally Posted by kiwibird27

and I won't have to worry about stupid ferry workers going on strike and ruining my day about their pay!!!!!!
What do u guys think?????

yes and thank goodness the mere serfs will no longer dare be able to demand better conditions and disrupt you

**reAllytee** · 21-03-2006 22:31

Originally Posted by Devon_mouse

Some jobs you might even have to be re-interviewd and then denied the job you have perhaps been in for 10 years etc. No I think it's a terrible idea. I see no good to come of it what so ever.

Thats funny because my partner had to do this a year ago now so really its not making a difference in that case because if a company wanted to do it before they did & if they want to do it now they will also. Not really a big change for some corporations really because they were @sses to begin with & will be @sses after it all too.

We need reform but yeah lets see if this ends up being the type of reform we really need.

Could say more but i wont.

**Pixie** · 21-03-2006 22:37

That's very true Allyoo, but I could be wrong if it happens now you have even less of a leg to stand on to fight for your rights as ummm your rights are being taken away!! I maybe very mistaken on that information though.

**WeThree** · 21-03-2006 22:40

Sorry if i sounded harsh before, but this is a subject im really passionate about.
As we speak (or type) my DH bosses have advertised positions (that are already filled) in the Phillipines offering less than half of what my DH and his counterparts recieve, and a furnished room, So I just cant believe that it is right that thousands of families be forced to sell or move from their homes or worse because they can no longer afford them so that a select few can recieve a bettter office, an even huger salary, and a pleasant trip to work is fair.
and hopefully that is the last thing i have to say about that

**pegasus** · 21-03-2006 22:43

Originally Posted by coopsntilly

yes and thank goodness the mere serfs will no longer dare be able to demand better conditions and disrupt you

I know I'm commenting from another state, but if you have any idea about the building of our railway from Perth to Mandurah - you'd be realising that the reasons for strikes are usually not warranted and cost millions of dollars - for us taxpayers. I'm only assuming that the principles are similar here to the ferry workers which kiwibird was talking about.

After lots of contact with the mining industries too, I have to say that there are a lot of strikes that are not for what I would see as better conditions - only 2 flavours of icecream available rather than 4!! Or Joe blow has been dismissed and it all seems so unfair so lets go on strike - however, a lot of the people who end up striking don't even know said Joe Blow (not his real name) and fact is that if the real truth got out that people would realise that he was in fact a naughty boy and needed to be dismissed.

There are far better ways to lobby for better conditions than striking!!!

**WeThree** · 21-03-2006 22:45

That is true pegasus, but there are still times when it is valid and necessary, and it should be a right every Australian be able to exercise.

**Pixie** · 21-03-2006 22:49

Erin I think when you or someone you know is directly affected you can say what you please. If it meant that I would be wondering if my husband had a job next week I'd be pretty darn passionate about it as well.

It makes me look at my old work mates and think gosh some of them are struggling have been for years..What now???

I agree Pegasus about looking at alternatives to striking..To prepare a strike through a union is quite a task, and you have to go through a heap of people and write letters tell them the date you want it etc. If you were to just gather everyone together and go and strike that can be an instant dismissal without the new reforms. Striking is a last resort in some cases...although if the only choices of ice cream where vanilla and banana I would arrange a strike to get some chocolate in there