Deep trenches on workplace battlefield

ANY debate about workplace relations too often falls into ideological and political stereotypes.

ANY debate about workplace relations too often falls into ideological and political stereotypes.

On Sunday, Julia Gillard finished her two-day summit with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key by flagging family-friendly law changes to give particular employees extended, but not guaranteed, rights in fixing work hours.

Labor just sees the upside in this. The Coalition doesn't want to talk about workplace rights, fearing an inevitable scare campaign from the Government, claiming there's a secret plan to bring back WorkChoices.

Tony Abbott regards workers' rights issues as the "third rail" of national affairs - touch it and you'll die a shocking death! Also, Labor wants to keep the unions interested by rolling out some sympathetic legislation.

The sound of union donations arriving at party HQ and volunteers offered for marginal seats is sweet music to a Labor campaign director.

There are some serious issues to be debated. Some employers, such as those in hospitality, regard tilting the playing field even further in the workers' favour as another burden for businesses struggling to cope with generous penalty rates. At the same time, there are persistent instances of workers getting no joy when requesting shift changes, particularly if they've recently had a baby or they are older workers.

While some employer organisations are happy to talk about these issues, the Coalition nods politely, says they'll wait for details and moves on - quickly.

Abbott, just as quickly, grabs his handy legislation to force accountability on unions and introduces it into Parliament.

This is the half of the workplace agenda Labor doesn't want to talk about, with recent Health Services Union scandals and more distant talk of dirty deeds among former Australian Workers Union officials.

The deep trenches on the workplace battlefield mean we won't move past the unrelated firing of rhetorical fusillades by each side, accompanied by a stubborn refusal to venture into an opponent's territory.