Strike fears over Labor’s proposed industrial laws

Business groups fear Labor’s industrial laws will increase strike action and put jobs and exports at risk.

Mining and construction ­industries as well as other big business groups fear Labor’s industrial laws will increase strike action and put jobs and exports at risk.

But Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke said the proposed laws would get wages rising for low-paid workers and rejected claims they would increase industrial action, saying safeguards against that would be in place.

The Albanese government’s proposed industrial laws will make it easier for multi-­employer bargaining, allowing workers across several companies to strike together.

Mr Burke said a public ­interest test would prevent ­industry-wide strikes or action that would damage the economy or supply chains.

But industry groups say they have “no confidence” in these assurances and fear competing businesses could be forced into multi-employer bargaining agreements.

Three groups can presently apply for multi-employer bargaining, but rarely do so ­because of red tape – which the government is seeking to ­remove.

Small businesses with fewer than 15 staff can opt in, but cannot be forced to do so, and industrial action is not allowed. There are also options for low-paid workers, such as those in child care, and “single-interest employers” such as franchisees and employers with common interests.

Existing limits on industrial action will not be changed, secondary boycotts will remain ­illegal, and unions that break the law will be unable to apply for multi-employer bargaining agreements.

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Tony Burke. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Burke said Australia had low rates of industrial action and that would not change.

“The rules in being able to do (industrial action) are no different to what they would be if you were doing a single employer negotiation,” he said.

Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Tania Constable said she had no confidence in the minister’s ­assurances.

“As long as there’s a common interest, you could force competitors into multi-employer agreements,” she said.

“All the businesses in the Bowen Basin could have been deemed as a common interest. If there was any sort of industrial action, that could open the door to industry-wide strikes, crippling supply chains, leading to economic loss.”

Master Builders Australia chief executive Denita Wawn said the proposed laws would undermine job security.

“Workplace laws need to encourage workplaces to drive productivity at the individual enterprise level, not take us back to a ‘one size fits all’ ­approach last seen in the 1970s,” she said.

The “secure jobs, better pay” Bill was introduced to parliament and referred to a Senate inquiry on Thursday and is expected to pass the House of Representatives in November.