11-14-05,9:35am

The Australian government is using its newly-acquired majority in the Senate to rush through industrial relations legislation, to dramatically reduce the rights of workers to union representation, collective bargaining, minimum employment standards and protection from unfair dismissal. The Industrial Relations Commission will have all its powers removed, except for its powers to stop unions taking industrial action.

Minimum wages will be determined by a government appointed Commission on the basis of 'competitiveness' without regard for fairness and decent living standards. The system of 'Awards' (which set out core terms and conditions of employment for different occupations and sectors) is being replaced by a system giving the employer total power to decide terms and conditions. Key parts of the new laws include:

· No protection from unfair dismissal for workers in workplaces with less than 100 workers;

· Pushing workers onto individual employment contracts;

· Restrictions on trade union activities, including talking with workers in their workplace;

· Extremely narrow limits on matters which can be the subject of collective bargaining. Unions can be fined $30,000 if they seek to reach agreement with employers on unfair dismissal, union training leave, use of subcontractors and a range of other matters;

· Removal of the right to public holidays for many workers, and weakened provisions for annual leave;

· Employers will be able to decide unilaterally on annual leave bonuses, meal and rest breaks, overtime rates and other provisions for many workers.

· Reduced protection for employees who refuse unsafe or unhealthy work; · The government will be able to stop industrial action if it decides the action is detrimental to the economy, and legal provisions concerning industrial action will be heavily biased in favour of employers.

On 15 November, the Australian Council of Trade Unions is organising a national day of protest against the new laws. Hundreds of thousands of workers are expected to take part in events around the country.

UNI affiliates are requested to make representations to Australian diplomatic missions in their countries on 15 November and to send messages of solidarity to Australian UNI affiliates before 15 November

For more information, please see the website of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (http://www.actu.asn.au) and for details of the Australian diplomatic mission in your country please see http://www.dfat.gov.au/missions/missions.txt

Thank you for your solidarity.

Yours sincerely,

Philip Jennings General Secretary Union Network International