Union letter sent to Helena electors on IR system politically motivated

29/8/94

"The most negative piece of election clap-trap I have ever seen."

That is how Labour Relations Minister Graham Kierath has labelled a union letter being sent to electors in Helena which accuses the Government of setting about the systematic destruction of the industrial relations system.

"Nothing could be further from the truth," Mr Kierath said.

"This letter from the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association is a disgrace and attempts to use nothing short of scare tactics to solicit votes for the Labor Party.

"This Government has enshrined the industrial relations system in legislation, to work in parallel with workplace agreements and thereby giving the workers of this State a choice - a choice that workers are taking up at a rate of more than 850 a month.

"What the new system of workplace agreements does is also give workers flexibility -flexibility to negotiate a better deal with their employer."

Mr Kierath said the letter also talked about the shock resignation of the local member Gordon Hill.

"That was no shock - it had been rumoured for months and it was just a matter of Mr Hill timing his departure so he could maximise his pay-out," he said.

Mr Kierath said the letter showed the Labor Party for what it was, with its claim that supporting the Labor Party would return it to its traditional base - moderate responsible unionists advancing the interests of working people.

With this statement, and the endorsement of a trade union official as its candidate, it was yet another demonstration that the Labor Party and union movement were one and the same thing.

"I am sure there would be many members of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association who would disapprove of the union using their funds for blatant political campaigning," Mr Kierath said.

Media contact:   Brian Coulter 222 9595 / 481 2133