The MSAV recently received an ‘information kit’ from the federal government extolling the virtues of enterprise bargaining under the slogan Enterprise Bargaining – Making it Easier to Do Business. How silly of us to think that this was about giving workers the right to enterprise bargain with employers – it wasn’t. It was about allowing small businesses to bargain together to obtain more buying and seller power and to bargain on a more equal footing with larger businesses. The benefit for larger businesses is stated to be negotiating with one point of contact as opposed to a number of individual [businesses].

However under WorstChoices workers are denied the same right to bargain collectively with the more powerful employer, to gain more selling power for their labour.

So the MSAV as a ‘business’ is able to collectively bargain with other ‘businesses’ (say the VPA) to purchase goods and services, but can’t collectively bargain on behalf of members for terms and conditions of employment - unless the employer agrees.

Another breathtaking example of the hypocrisy and double standards of the out-of-touch Howard government.

Fortunately most employers with whom we deal recognise the benefits of collective agreements and have ruled out using AWAs. Not all workers are so fortunate and there are many instances of employers ignoring employees’ wishes and refusing to collectively bargain.

Protect your rights at work by voting in the next federal election for a party which gives workers the right to collectively bargain where that is the will of the majority. Your rights at work depend on voting the current federal government out of office. If you want to get involved in the Your Rights at Work campaign go to Your Rights at Work or follow the links on our website on the side bar on the right.