Page 819 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 13 March 1991
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an industrial matter; it had nothing to do with workers' pay and conditions or the safety of employees, but instead was a political issue. I think it was unfortunate that in circumstances like that the normally responsible union movement deserted the good sound industrial relations that it had had with this Alliance Government over that period of time prior to those disputes obtaining publicity, and became involved with such an unrepresentative case.
From the discussions that I had with the unions during that period when I was Acting Minister for Education, if ever there were embarrassed trade union officials it was at that time, because they knew that they had somehow involved themselves with a process that had nothing to do with the union reason for being there, namely, looking after the rights and interests of workers on sites. They had tied themselves up in a hopelessly complex political problem. I think that this Government has found that the more responsible elements of the ACT trade union movement have taken a constructive and cooperative attitude to change and reform, and at the same time they have done their duty in representing, fully and properly, the interests of their members.
The level of industrial disputation in the ACT has frankly been insignificant, particularly given the many major reforms that are currently taking place in our transition to becoming a more financially independent Territory. In that context I think corporatisation is a prime example of major changes to the way that work is being performed or will be performed in the Territory in the future; nevertheless, we have had good ongoing and fruitful discussions with the unions about a whole range of issues.
"Consultation" has been the key word in that process, and that, of course, is consistent with the commitment of our Government to consult with the unions regarding reforms within the public sector processes of consultation with unions. It has commenced in relation to the corporatisation of ACTEW and the health services complex at Mitchell. Indeed, agreement has been reached regarding consultations at a government level on employment matters outside the direct influence of individual agencies; for example, the matters of superannuation, workers compensation and long service leave cover which is presently provided under Commonwealth legislation. In many areas those matters are being resolved with the unions; in particular, the matter of voluntary redundancy, et cetera, where the unions are taking a responsible and cooperative approach to conform with government policy in this area. But the reason they are doing that, of course, is that the old cliche, "Our door is always open", has applied; consultation has been ongoing and full.
In our public sector, a number of grievances have been associated with the implementation of new award and classification structures applicable to both Federal and ACT Government Service employment. Again, the level of
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