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Reith should butt out of transport industry agreement; McMullan
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BOB McMULLAN MP SHADOW MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS MEMBER FOR CANBERRA
., IR6/97 4 February 1997
REITH SHOULD BUTT OUT OF TRANSPORT INDUSTRY AGREEMENT: MCMULLAN
Peter Reith should not be interfering in the recent agreement which has been reached in the transport industry, the Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Bob McMullan, said today.
"This agreement is being dealt with under Mr Reith's Workplace Relations Act. It will be processed under his Act.
"It is extraordinary that Mr Reith now turns around and attacks wage increases for low paid workers even when those outcomes are reached under~ Act.
"Furthermore, there seems to be a number of positive elements in the agreement.
"First, the agreement has been reached with the support of almost all of the players in national road transport, including the two key employer organisations, the Australian Road Transport Industry Organisation and the State Road Transport Association. Only one small employer organisation -whose members are scarcely affected by the agreement - is opposed to the agreement. It may be signifi cant that thi s association is represented by Reith adviser Paul Houlihan.
"Second, the agreement delivers 'better pay for better work'. The majority of employees who will receive this increase are on a base salary of just $406 per week. They have only received three safety net increases of $8 per week over the last five years. Even with this increase, they will only have received a 17% increase over the last 6 years.
"Third, the agreement provides more fle xibility for employers - most importantly, more flexible working hours which will enable better utilisation of often very expensive vehicles.
"Fourth, the agreement will actually encourage greater permanent employment, with less reliance on casuals and less pressure for overtime.
"Finally, the agreement creates a better springboard for enterprise bargaining within the industry.
Mr McMullan said that the situation really is bizarre. "We now have a Minister who champions his new industrial relations system but complains about its results, and who champions agreements but complains when they are achieved.
"So far, his only complaint has been when workers have gained what he sees as 'too much'. We have seen no examples of concern that they may get too littl e.
"So· much for 'Better Pay for Better Work"'.
For further information: David Fredericks (06) 277 4428 COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY
TELEPHONE: (06) 277 4428 + FACSIMILE: (06) 277 8499
