Coronavirus: Taxpayer ‘forks out for union access’ in Victorian jobs scheme

Business and the Victorian opposition have accused the Andrews government of using taxpayer money to ‘buy’ union access to workplaces.

Victorian Coalition industrial relations spokesman Nick Wakeling. Picture: Kylie Else

Business groups and the Victorian opposition have accused the Andrews government of using taxpayer money to “buy” union access to workplaces through a clause in its $500m “Working for Victoria” scheme.

The program is designed to help match jobseekers with employers amid the coronavirus pandemic, with financial assistance available to help employees relocate, find accommodation and ­retrain. A clause in the application form employers must complete to qualify for the scheme, states: “As a grant recipient your organisation must allow union officials to provide a short presentation to employees whose positions are funded by Working for Victoria and also allow right of entry to industrial officers who need to access your sites.”

Access must be granted for union officials to “oversee provision of information about workplace rights and unions”, “provide advice on industry, governance, training and micro-credentialing”, “support the resolution of industrial issues”, “oversee occupational health and safety requirements” and “discussion on general wellbeing”.

Victorian Coalition industrial relations spokesman Nick Wakeling said it was “outrageous” that during the coronavirus pandemic, the Andrews government was “using taxpayers’ money to buy access to workplaces for his union mates”. “This dodgy clause is yet another example of Andrews looking after his masters in the union movement instead of ensuring Victorian businesses survive the coronavirus pandemic,” Mr Wakeling said.

Australian Industry Group Victorian director Tim Piper said his members were concerned about the potential implications of the clause. “It seems there is a requirement, for employers who accept a grant, to allow union officials to make a presentation to all new employees, which is not appropriate,” Mr Piper said.

He said the clause could also lead to the employer being non-compliant with the federal Building Code and therefore being excluded from tendering for work on commonwealth government projects for breaching freedom of association principles. “Among other requirements, employers are required to ensure that: ‘officials, delegates, or other representatives of a building association do not undertake or administer induction processes’,” Mr Piper said.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Paul Guerra said he was concerned the provision “expand union rights of entry over their rights under fair work or OHS legislation’’.

A spokesman for Jobs Minister Martin Pakula said the Andrews government was proud that Working for Victoria had enabled more than 4300 Victorians to find work during the pandemic.