Right to strike is almost dead: ACTU

The Australian Council of Trade Unions has put this media release out in response to the Fair Work Commission ruling which ordered Sydney and NSW Trains workers to suspend our protected industrial action for six weeks:

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Today’s [Thursday 25 Jan] decision by the Fair Work Commission to suspend the action by train drivers is further evidence of the broken rules in Australian workplaces that are driving down wage growth.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions today noted that the right to withdraw your labour is a fundamental human right, that is denied to most Australian workers, most of the time.

Quotes attributable to Sally McManus, ACTU Secretary:

“The basic right to strike in Australia is very nearly dead.

“Rail workers followed every single rule and law, and still the Minister of the day can get an order to cancel bans on working excessive overtime.

“When working people and their union go through every possible hoop and hurdle and are still denied these basic rights, it is no secret why so many workers haven’t had a pay rise.

“Working people’s wages in Australia are so stagnant because the rules are stacked in the favour of the employers.

“We need to change the rules, because Australia needs a pay rise.”

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You can see how The Australian covered it here.