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I.R laws how have they affected you??

moXJO

menace to society
Joined
15 August 2006
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Who has a horror story to tell about the new I.R laws. A friend of mine threw his truck driving job in because they changed the rates. He has had two jobs since ,and is receiving a lot more money now. The company that lowered their rates has since had to put them up again as they lost a lot of good drivers. So that’s as close to home as it has got just yet. Its early days, but I am interested in how the current laws have impacted people. You have to wonder how workers will fair when the economy hits the wall.

On the other hand I heard some shocking stories back in the days of unfair dismissal laws. One of our local ones was a lady stealing money from the till and safe then was caught on a newly installed camera taking the money and fired. She managed to sue for compensation and get her job back because employees were not aware a camera was there. Countless ones from friends with small business that couldn’t get rid of employees that didn’t want to work who took full advantage of the unfair dismissal laws back then.

Being a small business owner myself I have always looked after my employees. So the new I.R laws haven’t really had any effect on us. I’m not to sure how I will fair under Rudds system. And in its current form yes I am a little worried. I’ve had countless bad encounters with unions and their corruption and bully tactics in the past. One of the tradies here was recently forced to become a paying member to the unions.This was on threats by a union member that he would be kicked off the site and not allowed back to complete his work. It went to court and the unions were spanked over it but they are lodging an appeal.

Its the time wasted and the red tape created by these idiots that make life hell for the small business owner. The arrogance violence corruption and general rudeness I have dealt with from this mob has really made me sick to the stomach. But yes they are an essential part of the work place I'm just a bit one eyed after my dealings with them.

End of rant
 
Good thread moXJO.

Fortunately, I sit in my office all day looking at a computer screen with no employees. It's just me.

I am right of the centre, so naturally I am more inclined to think the new IR laws will make most people and business more productive.

People have to earn their position in society and if they don't cut it, then adios!

It should be survival of the fittest in this animal world!

The lefties out there can start abusing me.
 
I run a Small Company now 16 employees.

We are re doing the Workplace agreements with everyone now.
No employees are worse off.
Infact my employees tell me who should stay and who should go.
Being a Civil Construction Company THEY dont wish to work alongside a person who THEY have to support.
THEY want someone who helps them not HINDER them.

From an owners veiw I'll pay above average---actually well above average---to keep people in my organisation who WANT to be and PROVE to be above average.

My Company is only as good as those who make it up---they understand that THEY have a huge influence on MY INCOME and as such I expect performance---and as such THEY expect to be justly rewarded.
If they increase MY income they EXPECT---and rightly so-- to increase THEIR income.
 
I work for a government power company everyone here hates the idea of AWA's but I know alot of people who think they are the bee's knees.

The good thing is now with AWA's people generally get a higher pay etc but this is because of the current overall good economy.

The problem with AWA's is as soon as things slow down your AWA's will become less attractive ( after they expire and you sign a new one)

So basically for me I have good conditions such as ot pay etc if i basically sell those now on a AWA for more cash there is nor reason in future I will ever get them back and if things do slow down I could be faced with having to sign a new AWA for lower pay and no conditions.

I agree the AWA's are neccesary for small business and the economy as a whole to encourage a flexable work force but if we do have a recession or slow down thats when the AWA's will cause pain and heartache.

That said though, unfortunatly in a time of slow economic activity it is neccesary to lower peoples wages , conditions and be able to get rid of them. Especially for small business that will fight to survive
 
People on AWA's etc have long been selling off their conditions. The fact is conditions retain their value long term, a day off is still worth a days pay, however if you trade that day off for say $300 today its worth a days pay in 5 years that $300 is more than likely half a days pay. Big employers will always try to get you to sell off your conditions because it is much easy to erode pay than conditions.
Same with penalty rates and level payments they will write these up in agreements like this your on $10 an hour your over time rate is your hourly rate plus $10 sounds good double time but in 5 years your rate is $20 an hour plus your $10 overtime rate only time and and a half now.
Your a level 1 at work getting a $1000 a week, level 2's get an additional $150 sounds good 15% for the next pay band, however in 5 years time your pay is $1500 level 2 get an additional $150 now only 10%.
While I feel for small employers trying to make ends meat, I know how big business works and unless the lower skilled employees are represented collectively they will zero bargaining power.

Any poltician or business person who says a low skilled individuals have bargaining power with a big business is deluded
How do you bargain with a multi billion dollar company with a team of lawyers and accountants when your just a labourer?
 
Hit the nail on the head there tech.

That said, there are dud employers out there and there do need to be laws to protect workers from exploitation IMO.

I'm aware of one substantial ASX listed company that does practially all of its work via contractors who are being paid less now than they were 25 years ago. Most of those contractors, who are effectively de facto employees, are single person operations working from home. And now the company has started to impose stricter conditions on work performance etc whilst still doing nothing about incredibly low pay rates that are well under $5 an hour. (I have personally verified all of this apart from the claim, from one of their contractors, that rates are unchanged in 25 years).

I also know of a local small business that was attempting to pay truck drivers $8.50 an hour two years ago. I can't condone theft, but it doesn't surprise me that the company had a problem with employees stealing fuel especially. The wages they were paying were outright disgusting and suffice to say that this is ultimately the reason I no longer send any business their way. Others must have taken a similar view judging by the apparent decline in the company's overall business activities.
 

You mention 5 years over and over... My question is, how long do you think a contract goes for?
It would be unlikely for me to sign a 5 year contract!!!
Also, corect me if Im wrong but an individual can stay with the union negotiated EBA.

Now to answer the threads question, no it hasnt affected me.
 
Article by Julia Gillard
 
That said, there are dud employers out there and there do need to be laws to protect workers from exploitation IMO.

If your employer doesnt perform SACK HIM/IT.

They are stuffing with YOUR wages,your lively hood,your life style.

Just as bad employees stuff with mine!!

All too hard?
Want a law to protect me?
Not prepared to stand out from the next guy as a valued employee?
Expect your Employer to stand out and treat you well above average?

Yep you guessed it AWA's were implemented for YOU!!!
 

I am yet to meet anyone starting a new job who has been given the choice of an EBA or an AWA you take the AWA or you don't take the job , no choice.
Also I have never met anyone who has had the oppurtunity to go back to an EBA once on an AWA. Its a one way street.
WMC move there whole work force from Western Australia Work Place agreements to AWA's when the Gallop government came to power , my agreement went from saying 10 days sick leave , 4 weeks holidays etc to "as per company policy" Company policy can be changed at anytime and as the laws were relaxed with regard to minimum condition it meant the company could just change policy and change your condition with zero input from you.

Again it meant the big employer had all the power,

If you want a society where business and market rule unconditionally expect to see a country of haves and have nots , the USA is already there , the UK is not far behind , I don't want to live in such a country. We need a balance so we maintain a fair society. Otherwise start putting bars on your windows , employing security guards , guards dogs and maybe buy a gun or two (Just asked the South Africians what that is like)
 
If you want a society where business and market rule unconditionally

Mark.
I really do find this way of thinking strange.
You DO have choices its only YOU or anyone in a similar position who CHOOSES not to make what they seem impossible choices.

Employers have as much right as the Employee to make demands on wages.
If you think its a one way street---change roads!!
 
I agree, if you are not happy in your current employment leave there is plenty of work out there I have a small business myself and I only think it is fair that I can sack people on the same grounds as people who are working for me can leave at any time.
 
On a side note I think younger employees in construction should be protected by the union, employers and employees. Too many times I have seen them put in harms way by their bosses or other employees. People forget they are fresh to the industry and don’t have any experience. Just because Joe Blow knows how to do it doesn’t mean he should be telling a kid to do something risky. And they will put their neck on the line to impress. They should be told that it’s ok to say no to a dangerous request. And more experienced workers should know better than to risk young lives.
 
I agree, i advised my girlfriend to move from a medium sized family run company (based in SA) cause they treated everyone there like crap.

She now works for the Govt and loves it...

I went to the same process after graduating from Uni... after being exploited over the summer (worked for free and then given a starting contract of 29k per annum including super), i handed in my resignation in the next day and found a job in a large company. I'm on an AWA, but i am more than capable of doing my own negotiations are present, so no complaints.

But i can see how others might be exploited.

Funny enough, both the above mentioned companies, immediately came back with revised offers of an extra 10k when the recieved their respective resignations letters!

what a joke!

Its naive to think these companies will learn... but no, they will always find new suckers to exploit.

Both these companies are still around and thriving....
 

I agree.
I think too many people have this entitlement mentality where they think they should be given the world and stuff the boss, however I think they fail to see the big picture, if the boss isnt doing well then they dont have a job!..... yet they will still feel entitled to it.
Now Im not saying that we all shouldnt be entitled to certain things.... I think fairs fair, if your an asset to your boss then you should be rewarded for it. If you dont feel your getting paid what your worth then start shopping around, Simple as that!

Just because Joe Blow knows how to do it doesn’t mean he should be telling a kid to do something risky.
Thought you had more sense then that Joe!!!:headshake
 
gents , some good posts thanks
I heard John Button being interviewed on ABC - (apart from his belief that Libs are taking credit for many of Labour initiatives lol) - his thoughts of the new Labour proposals were that he was surprised that the Ind Relations Commmission would be disbanded if Labour got in (although obviously Rudd and Gillard believe that it has been stacked with management reps since Coalition have been in power). Presumably "Fair Work Australia" is just a way to get a new set of people on the judges bench in a hurry.

but he went on to say that "In good times, nobody cares - near full employment, and no boss can afford to give people a hard time, etc. BUT in bad times it's different, and you need something like the IRC and awards and unions" (in his opinion).

So I guess as long as Howard keeps employment high, then Labour will have the job ahead of them to sell the changes (on this point anyway) - but obviously if there's a downturn , then it's anyone's guess who'll get in (unlikely this year you'd think, but who knows?)
PS for my next job, I'd like to sign up to be on the award rate applicable to "Boards of Directors" (bludy parasites lol)

PS I remain open minded on this - I also posted some comments on the thread about "full employment - a con?" , but they're not worth repeating lol. The devil will be in the detail, let's face it. Too far either way will mean someone loses out. (imo) People will be people, (and a few will exploit circumstances when presented with a chance) - and that goes for bosses as well as employees.
 
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200705/s1913816.htm
 

It's easy to have that attitude when you have the skills to back you up. I am a qualified electrical fitter, but it's been years since I saw a job advertised for an electrical fitter where I wish to work.

I spent 15 years working for a boss that didn't have your outlook, I was there for his benefit only. I didn't have the backing to work for myself so I had to put up with it. When I asked for long service leave, I was told that I couldn't have it all at once as it would harm his business. The next day I bit the bullet, gave notice and started my own business. If I had still been there, dependant on him with the IR laws as they stand Iwould be in a very difficult position.
 
There are plenty of choices as to which news article to post, but since Johnny Howard's recent announcement's are so obviously a last minute "conversion on the road to the election in Damascus"... I'll post this one. No doubt others will claim Johnny finally genuinely saw that previous workchoice laws were open to abuse and that this is not just hollow attempt to gain back the middle ground (when it flies in the face of what he has expressed about his preferred option of most if not all of the power with the employer)

And don't you love the way the incumbent party always uses public money to advertise their policies leading into an election ?.

"Professor Stewart says how they are received could depend on whether the newly named Workplace Authority will have to go over hundreds of thousands of agreements in detail to make sure they meet the fairness test. "

And also , as for this legislation being ready for mid June sitting ?? As if that could be done in that time interval, lol.. UNLESS there was the carrot of an election driving them on

I just wish that the hypocrisy of these politicians were a little less glaring..blinding even.

As someone said , you still get the choice when you are offered a job,.. "so, make up your mind !! what's it to be, do you sign , or do I offer it to the next applicant? ":casanova: :headshake

Just as for the new Labour proposals - the devil is in the detail - and this fairness test looks a bit of window dressing, and empty rhetoric.

As the professor says .. either it's another useless form to fill in, or it's a genuine attempt to check the fairness - and in that case, the thrust of work choice ( to cut out anyone looking over the shoulder of employer or employee) will be lost / torn up.

PS For comparsion, here's a quote from Winston Churchill , a true stateman, quoting in turn from his father .. "Trust the People"
 
I'm probably in the minority here.

I have a metro-based office job.

I have sacrificed overtime, leave loading and 1 RDO per month (as a function of changing employer then signing a new agreement a few weeks ago).

My personal gross income is over 50% higher than it was 14 months ago, I am still protected by unfair dismissal laws, I now have scope to negotiate & I have received a bonus (due to individual work agreements) despite being full time for 6 months. I would not have otherwise been given one.

I have no doubt that some people feel threatened by the IR laws, however I am extremely happy with the opportunities I have been provided.
 
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