Carr congratulated and challenged

March 16, 2005
Dear Mr Carr

Re: Federal Government's Proposed Industrial Legislation

Federation notes your recent public statements about the Federal Government's proposed unfair industrial relations system and welcomes the State Government's plans to fight for the rights of workers in New South Wales.

As you have rightly indicated, the Federal Government's proposed system will hurt all workers including teachers. Teachers are also concerned that our students face the prospect of their working lives being dominated by unfair industrial regulation and practices.

On March 12, 2005 the Council of the NSW Teachers Federation debated the Howard Government's proposals and stated in part:

"Council notes that on February 24, 2005 NSW Premier Bob Carr began an offensive against the Federal Government's plans and stated: 'I will have more to say in the coming months about what our nurses would lose, what our teachers would lose, what our emergency services would lose, what our police would lose if the state's systems were abolished'.

"The Premier's defence of fair industrial relations is welcome and laudable. His defence of our working conditions is also welcome."

As you would expect, the Federation will fight a long and sustained campaign with the rest of the union movement to defend their industrial relations at the State and Federal level.

To counterpoint the Federal Government's proposals, Federation seeks your assurance that Federation members' working and service conditions will be protected and/or improved during the next salaries award negotiations scheduled to begin with the State Government/Department of Education and Training in July 2005. In the current context, such assurance would send an excellent signal to teachers in the public education system.

I look forward to your response. Please contact Maree O'Halloran, President, if further information is required.

Yours sincerely
Barry Johnson
General Secretary

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