This site is primarily to promote Unions in the Hunter and to inform not only members but potential members and young people of the benefits of Unionism. The Newcastle Trades Hall Council (NTHC) currently has 22 Unions affiliated which cover most work areas and job designations in the Hunter. The Newcastle Trades Hall Council is the peak Union body in the Hunter and works closely with Unions NSW and the Australian Council of Trade Unions ( A.C.T.U. )
This co-operation means that State and National campaigns are co-ordinated and run on behalf of Unions by the NTHC.
Currently we are involved in a Federal Election campaign which if the union movement is not successful could see a return to the bad old days of Workchoices under an Abbott led Conservative Government.
The anti Abbott campaign is run under the banner of Workchoices, Whatever The Name Never Again. It is clear from comments made by Abbot under pressure that the name Workchoices has gone forever but the underlying philosophy is still there. An analysis of the Fair Work laws had uncovered 198 separate sections which would allow an Abbott Government to make changes impacting on working Australians without the approval of Parliament.
FOR AUSTRALIAN WORKERS this means:
- Reduce unfair dismissal protections for small business employees
- Reduce minimum conditions in modern awards or enterprise agreements
- Cut their entitlements to redundancy payments
- Introduce no restrictions on “flexibility” clauses within agreements meaning everything is up for negotiation
And much much more.
We cannot allow Abbott and his bunch of anti union anti worker mates become our Government and take us back to where we were in October 2007. Abbott will not and cannot give an assurance that all existing clauses within the current Fair Work Australia will remain untouched and instead uses weasel words to try and hood wink the public like “dead buried and cremated”.
A man who wishes to be leader of this country who admits he tells lies and cannot keep a straight face when quizzed with direct questions on his proposed policies should not be our Prime Minister. We made a conscious decision then to remove the Conservatives and although we have some issues with our friends in the Australian Labour Party and the Greens we must not now elect Abbott.
Abbotts anti worker anti union ideology will result in the destruction of the only real protectors workers have, the organised Union movement.
The Newcastle Trades Hall Council, along with Unions NSW, The ACTU and all other regional Union bodies will be working tirelessly to ensure Abbott does not sit on the Treasury benches and on behalf of yourself and your fellow Australians we cannot go backwards.
The next term of Government will be critical for our futures in ensuring fair minimum standards in wages, conditions, health, education, social welfare, etc and this will not be achieved with an Abbott lead Conservative Government. I urge voters not to vote conservative and allow the new Fair Work Australia legislation time to bed down properly and for the Union movement to continue to work cooperatively with a Labour majority Government to bring benefits to all Australians.
Gary Kennedy
Secretary
Newcastle Trades Hall Council
|