Churches join IR protest

Herald Sun ^ | 28 June 2005

[Aussie Dasher]

VICTORIAN churches will today throw their weight behind the union movement with a service to oppose the Federal Government's proposed workplace relations changes.

The Victorian Council of Churches said the ecumenical service, led by Anglican Bishop Philip Huggins, would express the churches' concern about the plans. Bishop Huggins said workers had a right to "safe and healthy workplaces", including collective bargaining, union representation, minimum wages and conditions of employment.

"It is intensely disappointing that our Federal Government should be bringing before us proposals that threaten these hard won and historic principles," he said.

"Jesus' teaching vividly endorses that we should be merciful and just."

Bishop Huggins said the churches' stance stemmed from their historic activism in workplace relations and their commitment to promoting dignity and equity in employment.

"Incremental change through consultation and consensus is a better approach than the Government's radical and distressing industrial proposals," he said.

"Our stable democracy needs a more conservative approach from the Federal Government."

The service, at 1pm (AEST) at St Peter's Church in East Melbourne, will form part of the union movement's week of protests and rallies to highlight its opposition to the industrial relations law changes.

Unions are angered at the Government's package, which includes the creation of a Fair Pay Commission to set minimum wages, the abolition of unfair dismissal protection for workers in firms with up to 100 workers, and a sharp reduction in the number of conditions allowed in workplace awards.

ACTU president Sharan Burrow, who will speak at the service, said the union hoped the Government would "hear the moral concerns of church and community leaders regarding this industrial legislation before parliament resumes in August".

[Aussie Dasher]

Not a word about the thousands of Australians murdered in abortuaries every year. Nothing about attacks on the family through the push for gay marriage.

These "churches" are too busy defending their trade union mates and advancing their left-wing agenda. They are a disgrace!!!!

[Unam Sanctam]

Of course it's only "churches interfering in political issues" or "breaching the wall of separation of church and state" if it's on the conservative side of an issue. The left welcomes churches' expressing positive political views on left-wing causes.