National OHS Laws briefing. Storey Hall, RMIT, Wednesday August 19.
A capacity meeting of OHS Reps, delegates and activists at RMIT's Storey Hall heard today that Victoria’s OHS laws stand to be watered down – unless the Victorian government sticks to its commitment to not reduce OHS standards.
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OHS Reps and Delegates vote to Rally on 1 September |
In particular, Brian Boyd warned that the Federal government’s own work safety targets will already not be met – a government failure that undermines the move to harmonise each state’s OHS laws. Brian also pointed out that a reducing rights and protections will only contribute to even lower OHS performance. “Now is the time for governments to be harmonising laws up – not down. The new laws should simply take the best bits of all the state laws, to lift every state's protection to the highest level”.
Representatives also heard from Wendy Phillips and Frank Fairly who both spoke about what a change to existing rights and protections would mean for them in their OHS role. Wendy is an OHS Rep working for a local Council. Frank has been an OHS Rep in the past and currently works as a field officer with the AMWU.
The meeting voted unanimously in favour of a maximum turn out for a Rally, Tuesday, 1 September 2009. [Download the resolution and the flyer for the Rally]
OHS National Model Laws - Not Good Enough! - ALL AFFILIATES RALLY
10am, Tuesday, 1st September 2009
ASSEMBLE: 10.00 am - TRADES HALL, LYGON STREET, CARLTON