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SA UNIONS Work - Secretary's Report
South
Australia is
on the cusp
of economic
and social
change.
Our economy
is moving
from our
traditional
base of
agriculture
and
manufacturing
to one
driven by
the mining
and the
defence
industries
with
significant
growth in
education
and
community
services.
We are
facing the
challenge of
climate
change which
will impact
on us more
than other
places in
our nation
as we live
on the edge
of a desert
and at the
end of the
Murray
River.
The need for
new
technology
and the
emerging
green
economy
could
provide
opportunities
for our
people into
the future.
We need
to all work
together and
generate
creative
solutions if
we are to
deal with an
ageing
population,
increased
migration
and the
future of
our small
economy in
light of
global
financial
pressures.
Unions in
South
Australia
have a
pivotal role
to ensure
that the
economic
benefits of
booming new
industries
benefit the
state's
workers,
their
families and
communities
well into
the future.
We intend
to actively
assist in
the
development
of our state
as a
socially
just,
productive
and
economically
sustainable
place.
We want to
do this
through
active
involvement
in policy,
strategies
and projects
that will
address the
challenges
of the
future such
as labour
and skill
shortages,
climate
change and
social
inclusion.
The
challenge
for all of
us is how
the future
of our state
can be
fairly
shared with
its people
in a
sustainable
environment.
Click
here for the
full SA
Unions
Agenda
>>..
full
agenda
The four main
priorities of
the agenda are:
-
Sharing
the wealth -
addressing a two
tiered economy
and inequality
the impact of a
mining boom and
defence
expansion
Mining
booms deliver
strong economic
growth but not
necessary a
sustainable
economy, at
times creating a
two tiered
economy.
We need to learn
from this and
ensure the
wealth created
is shared and
distributed to
the whole
community and
communities are
supported for
the long term.
-
Fair and
safe work -
building a
productive and
engaged
workforce
re-instating
fair work laws
There are groups
of workers such
as young people,
newly arrived
workers and
those in
uncertain and
casual
employment, who
are more
vulnerable and
need special
protection in
the law from
exploitation.
a strong
safety regime
Every worker
should know they
can come home
safely from work
to their
families.
Improved
Occupational
Health Safety
and Welfare
(OHSW) is also
critical to
increased
productivity and
the future of
our state.
fair treatment
of injured
workers
Following recent
changes to the
WorkCover laws
injured workers
now have fewer
rights and some
of the most
inadequate
entitlements in
the nation.
Two key
recommendations
are to reinstate
fairness in the
workers'
compensation
system and
strengthen and
enforce
obligations on
employers to
care for and
employ injured
workers.
work and
life
SA Unions
believes to grow
our population
we need a state
which values and
supports workers
to engage in
community life
and spend time
with their
families which
will give us an
edge in a
competitive
labour market.
an
active and
valued public
sector
The
challenges
facing our state
require an
effective and
professional
public sector
workforce.
We need to
revalue the
importance of
frank and
fearless advice
from public
servants to
Government.
wages
SA is
currently a low
wage state.
Unless this is
addressed it
could exacerbate
labour and skill
shortages as
workers chase
high paid work
rather than low
paid service
industry jobs.
If we are to
attract workers
we need to raise
the bar.
-
Climate
change - on the
edge of a
desert, at the
end of a river
Although we are
a national
leader in
renewable energy
South Australia
is especially
vulnerable to
climate change.
Good management
of the Murray
and our state's
water system is
fundamental to
the future
viability of our
state.
Without it we
face the loss of
our food, wine
and agricultural
industries.
Other key
industries in
our state leave
a high carbon
footprint.
A Carbon
Emission Trading
Scheme is
crucial to the
future of our
nation and the
world but there
are implications
for workers and
the state
economy that
need to be
considered.
Two key
recommendations
are:
to develop ways
to support
industries and
workers to
manage the
carbon trading
scheme and
provide skills
and
opportunities in
the transition
to a greener
economy
invest heavily
in the
development of
green jobs
particularly in
the
manufacturing
sector with the
aim of becoming
the Australian
leader in green
job creation.
-
A strong
union movement -
crucial to a
democracy
Unions represent
the collective
voice of working
people.
All workers
benefit from the
activities of
unions and the
sacrifices made
by generations
of union
members.
Strong,
independent and
democratic
unions are
crucial to a
strong system of
democracy.
They provide an
important
balance to
powerful vested
interests and
ensure that
important issues
such as the
impact of
globalisation on
workers are not
ignored.
Key
recommendations
are:
the State
Government to
recognise the
important role
of trade unions
and the right of
SA workers to
join and
actively
participate in
their unions
a right of entry
for union
officials to
workplaces in
order to provide
support and
information
consult with
unions about key
policy areas for
the state.
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