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Losing your right to fill the 'G': Joanne Knight draws the links between unfair dismissal, WorkChoices legislation and democracy.

Publication: Arena Magazine
Publication Date: 01-FEB-07 		Format: Online
Delivery: Immediate Online Access
Full Article Title: Losing your right to fill the 'G': Joanne Knight draws the links between unfair dismissal, WorkChoices legislation and democracy.(Workplace Rights)(Melbourne Cricket Ground)

Article Excerpt
In the weeks leading up to last year's national day of action on 30 November 2006, workers were intimidated and refused time off work to attend the 'Fill the G' protest at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Greg McCarron, an employee with the Office of Employment Advocate (OEA), was not permitted to use his flexitime to attend the rally. The OEA sent out an email to all staff stating they would not be granted leave to go to the protest. In Wollongong, Blue Scope steelworkers were warned off attending the rally in one-on-one meetings with managers. Despite threats from their employer of $6000 worth of fines, workers at Amcor Flexibles in Melbourne chose to close the factory and go to the MCG.

The actions of these employers amount to a serious interference with the rights to freedom of association and assembly in this country. The new Workplace Relations Amendment (WorkChoices) Act 2005 has substantial potential to impede the practice of these rights with serious consequences for democracy.

The WorkChoices Act fundamentally changes the industrial relations system in Australia. Through the use of individual contracts, employers have a greater capacity for use of 'managerial prerogative'. They can decide in individual...

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