Thursday, July 21, 2005

Life Without Unions – The New Reality?

Australian unions belong at the very heart of the work, life and aspirations of Australian people. Fabian Society. Speech by Greg Combet, ACTU Secretary.

I’m sure that I don’t need to tell you that I dismiss the question that we are to address as absurd. In fact I think that unions will be increasingly relevant and important to people.

In summary these are the reasons why:

  • The right to organise in a union and to collectively bargain lie at the heart of advancement for working people
  • These rights are democratic rights, and unions are essential institutions in democratic societies
  • Unions stand and fight for important values as well as democratic rights
  • Unions have helped shape the Australian political, economic and social environment, and will continue to do so
  • Unions have high levels of support within the community
  • Unions are modernising to meet the demands of rapidly changing workplaces
  • The industrial relations changes the Howard Government is making will mean that unions will be even more important and relevant.
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