Fed: Bill to water down rights for 250,000 workers - ACTU

AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-2005
Fed: Bill to water down rights for 250,000 workers - ACTU

The ACTU says the right of 250,000 employees working in federal government departments
to seek help from unions on health and safety issues is be watered down.

Amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Commonwealth Employment Bill were
due to be introduced Tuesday.

The bill has previously been rejected by the Senate three times but is set to become
law under the government's full control of the Senate.

ACTU president SHARAN BURROW says the bill will cut union representatives from their
traditional role in workplace safety.

She says research shows workplaces where unions are active are safer workplaces.

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KEYWORD: SAFETY (CANBERRA)

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