2017-09-01
Murdoch University EBA termination shows employment laws are broken & urgent change required: Bandt
Greens employment spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today said that the recent decision of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to terminate Murdoch University’s Enterprise Agreement shows the Fair Work Act is broken and requires urgent legislative change. Equally concerning is Minister Birmingham’s insidious encouragement for other universities to follow suit.
“This unfair termination shows that our employment laws are broken,” said Mr Bandt.
“If this agreement can be terminated in the blink of an eye, the Fair Work Act is unable to protect workers.
“The potential ramifications of this decision are far-reaching. Every enterprise agreement is now under threat because the government has given the green light for terminations as a cost-reduction strategy.
“Workers deserve fair conditions. Right now, wage growth is so low that for many workers, their real wages are going backwards. This makes it particularly galling that the government is not just supporting the termination but encouraging other institutions to copy it.
“Let’s call this out for what it is: university cuts by another means. So far, this government has been unable to pass cuts to higher education through the parliament. Instead, they’re encouraging the FWC do their dirty work.
“The Fair Work Act requires an urgent fix. This termination sets a dangerous precedent and instead of encouraging others to follow it, the government should be doing its job and protecting workers at Murdoch University and other universities.”
Media contact: Gideon Reisner, 0429 109 054
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