Page 1321 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 12 May 1993
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Mr Humphries: What about the other workers who do not want to be members of the union?
MR BERRY: If there is a preference clause, they have their choice. You are the ones who say that you want choice all the time. They have their choice.
Mrs Carnell: Whether they work or do not work. That is a great choice!
MR BERRY: Who won the wages and working conditions, Mrs Carnell? The bosses did not give them to them. They did not come out and say, "Here you are, dear friends".
Mrs Carnell: We are not arguing against unions.
MR BERRY: No, Mrs Carnell is not against unions as long as they sit in the corner quietly and cop what is dealt out to them - the compliant unions, the ones that do not come knocking on your door and look at your wages books. We will have them up there to look at your wages books. Would you like them to come?
Mrs Carnell: They come in, and I am exceedingly happy.
MR BERRY: Would you like them to look at your wages books?
Mrs Carnell: They often do.
MR BERRY: Is that a free invitation?
Mrs Carnell: Absolutely.
MR BERRY: The compliant unions are the ones you want, not the ones that have won wages and working conditions. I cannot remember many reports of the bosses coming out and saying, "Here you are, workers; here is a pay rise for all of you. Put it in the award. We will give you a pay rise. We will increase your occupational health and safety. We will support the designated work group proposal of the Labor Party". Not many bosses over this side did that - no fear.
Mrs Carnell: That does not do anything.
MR BERRY: It does do something because it enhances the ability of workers to protect themselves, and that is what you are opposed to.
Mrs Carnell: It increases government intervention.
MR BERRY: They call it government intervention. Increasing the role of workers in the workplace is government intervention.
Mrs Carnell: No, legislation.
MR BERRY: That is right. They are given some power in the workplace. Mrs Carnell does not like that.
Mrs Carnell: It is wonderful.
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