The sweeping attacks on workers' rights, including the very existence of trade unions in Australia, represents a reversion to old fashioned class warfare, says John Sutton Construction & General CFMEU.'This Federal Government is acting as the out and out agents of big business and their clear aim is to shift the economic share going to capital and away from labour.
'There is little doubt that Australia will become a much more unequal, non-egalitarian society once these laws filter through Australian workplaces.
'In our view, history is merely repeating itself. These short-sighted actions by employers and their Government will re-invigorate the trade union movement and ultimately be healthy for Australian democracy.
'Strong trade unions are a cornerstone of any democratic country. The Howard Government and big business assault will remind Australian workers why trade unions grew in the first place. None of the industrial rights and protections we have in the workplace today fell out of the sky. Workers had to endure great suffering, lengthy strikes, assaults by police, gaol terms and many other hardships to establish the conditions Howard is going to take away with the stroke of a pen,' Mr Sutton says.
'The employers have declared the class war on. The period ahead won't be a time for the faint hearted.'
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