SACS: Social & Community Services

Workers rally against Job Network decision

By the ASU - the employment services union

Unemployed job placement workers and their supporters will rally around the nation today at protest meetings against the Federal Government's Job Network decision.

The Federal Government has announced a review of Job Network contracts, stripping many not-for-profit welfare agencies of important employment service contracts and forcing up to 5,000 staff out of work.

The Australian Services Union, representing thousands of workers in the not-for-profit sector, said protesters would today call on the Federal Government safeguard the jobs of former Job Network staff.

ASU Assistant National Secretary Linda White said workers would be asking the Government to sign-on to three principles that would help soften the blow.

1. The Federal Government direct the new service providers employ former Job Network staff as a first preference.
2. Full worker entitlements be guaranteed by the Federal Government where employers are unable to pay out entitlements.
3. The Federal Government ensure protection of worker entitlements for future job placement services.

ASU NSW-ACT State Secretary, Sally McManus said the Federal Government must act to alleviate serious anxiety its decision has created among Job Network staff.

"Many Job Network staff and their families still face an uncertain future. The onus is now on the Federal Government to help these job placement workers find secure employment," Ms McManus said.

Workers will rally at 1pm in locations across the country, including:

• ACT at the Griffin Centre, 20 Genge Street, Canberra
• NSW at Trades Halls Auditorium Unions NSW, 377-383 Sussex Street Sydney
• Victoria at Victorian Trades Hall Council, New Council Chambers, Corner Victoria and Lygon Streets, South Carlton
• South Australia at 5-9 Rundle Street, Kent Town
• Queensland at the Trades and Labour Council, 16 Peel Street, South Brisbane
• Western Australia at the Australian Services Union building, 102 East Parade, East Perth
• Tasmania at the ASU offices at 265 Macquarie Street, Hobart

Further comment

For further comment, please contact:

Linda White, ASU Assistant National Secretary on 0419 507 809 or 03 9342 1400, Sally McManus on 0419 433 419 or Tim Fitzsimmons (EMC) on 0423 375 522