15 July 2008 

A new poll released today by the ACTU shows that voters are clearly losing patience with a push by business lobby groups to retain key aspects of Work Choices.

Almost three-quarters of the 1009 people surveyed by Galaxy Research said there should be no delay in improving workers’ protection from unfair dismissal, and more than two-thirds opposed delays in restoring rights to bargain collectively.

Three-quarters of those polled said there should be an independent umpire who can step in and finalise a workplace agreement in cases where agreement between the employer and employees cannot be reached.

There was also strong support for allowing bargaining over issues currently prohibited from workplace agreements, such as childcare, workplace action to tackle climate change, and employment of adequate numbers of apprentices and trainees.

“This poll shows that business groups are a long way out of step with public opinion and the public’s desire to get rid of the remaining parts of Work Choices,” says ACTU president Sharan Burrow.

“It also suggests there are real dangers for the Rudd Government if it bows to business pressure on the start dates for unfair dismissal and collective bargaining rights.

“The public could be very disappointed if it perceives unwarranted delays in scrapping Work Choices and any back sliding on policy.”