5 May 2018

Business SA is calling on the Australian Council of Trade Unions to reveal the facts around workplace changes, and to cut its current fear campaign in the lead up to the next federal election.

In an apparent attempt to regain relevance, the ACTU seems to be endeavouring to impose mid-20th century industrial relations dogma to a 21st century workplace, and it is pushing its values in rallies around the nation this weekend.

Business SA Chief Executive Nigel McBride said despite the changing workplace, national union heavyweights were attempting to strong-arm the business community.

“The ACTU campaign strategy appears to be focused on misinforming the public, as it seeks to mark its territory as the federal election approaches,” Mr McBride said.

Among the current claims is that insecure work is increasing and leading to record inequality. Yet the number of casuals has stayed the same for the past two decades. The unions want casual loadings increased, which means higher pay for generally unskilled labour.

Mr McBride said more than 720,000 Australians were unemployed, 1.1 million were underemployed, and youth unemployment topped 20 per cent in some regions.

“Jobs should not be at risk because businesses cannot afford to pay inflated casual wages. Australia already has one of the highest minimum wages, which has been increasing at a rate greater than inflation,” he said.

The ACTU claims the minimum wage and award wages have fallen and working families are no longer protected from poverty. It wants a minimum wage benchmark set at 60 per cent of the median wage. The wage claim risks harming small businesses which cannot afford the massive wage rises to meet the benchmark, pricing young and vulnerable people out of work.

The ACTU claims underpayment in the workforce is growing, and employers are deliberately under-paying workers or failing to pay superannuation. It wants union officials to be able to enter business premises and inspect time and wage records. Employers categorically oppose underpayment, and know it is illegal.

The ACTU claims migrant workers undermine pay and job security, and the temporary work visa scheme is virtually uncapped and has been growing without regard for Australian workers.

“It is not easy or cheap for employers to engage temporary skilled workers. There are minimum salary requirements, training benchmarks and sponsorship costs. Those on temporary visas with work rights are usually educated, skilled, experienced, proficient in English and develop the local workforce,” Mr McBride said.

It is also calling for the abolition of the Australian Building and Construction Commission. The ABCC has proven to be effective, given the well documented and economically-damaging lawlessness in some construction industry sectors.

“It’s time for us to hear the facts around employment, not strike fear into every day working Australians,” he said.