Resolution on
Australian Industrial Relations Reforms
This Congress expresses its solidarity with our brothers and sisters at the
ACTU and in the Australian union movement as they face the iniquitous
reforms being proposed by the John Howard Government.
These reforms represent a significant shift of industrial balance in favour of
employers by:
 Making it easier to dismiss ordinary workers;
 Reducing the safety net of work conditions and pay; and
 Seeking to reduce the minimum wage in real terms over the next few
years.
However, the proposal to remove collective bargaining from being the basis of
the industrial relations system and instead replacing it with individual
bargaining represents a dramatic departure from international industrial
relations norms.
If John Howard is successful in these reforms then this will be an attack on
the human rights of all Australian workers.
Congress therefore condemns the John Howard Government in the strongest
possible terms.
The Congress congratulates the ACTU and Australian unions on their
successful campaign in combating these proposals.
The Congress offers all the assistance it can provide in the fight being
undertaken by the ACTU and the Australian unions.