Labor conference: Ignoring the boss a worker’s right

Labor has backed the right of workers to ignore phone calls and emails from their bosses after hours.

Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Labor has backed the right of workers to ignore phone calls and emails from their bosses after hours, and swap public holidays for culturally significant leave, while also pledging to work with the states to ban the manufacture, use and import of harmful engineered stone products.

Under industrial relations policy changes to the ALP platform, national conference delegates also endorsed CFMEU-backed amendments supporting the ­removal of barriers to union officials entering workplaces.

On after-hours rights, Labor expressed support for a Senate committee report in March and “will work to implement the recommendations, including an ­enforceable right to disconnect”.

At the time of the release of the report, which also called on the government to trial a four-day work week with people maintaining their full-time wage, Labor senators on the committee ­expressed in-principle support but said the proposals did not reflect government policy.

Labor said it would seek to ­ensure workers of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those of different faiths, had the option to swap public holidays for culturally significant days “where the request is genuinely made by the employee”.

Following a concerted push by unions led by the CFMEU, delegates passed platform amendments that represent a significant step towards the banning of engineered stone products.

An original amendment had committed Labor only to a “consideration” of a ban and the CFMEU had wanted the wording strengthened.

After negotiations, the amendment commits Labor to taking all necessary steps to eradicate the hazard posed to workers by exposure to silica dust. “Labor recognises that the elimination of silicosis requires the strong co-ordinated efforts of all governments to take all necessary measures, including a ban on the manufacture, use and import of harmful engineered stone products, as well as other preventative measures,” it says.

CFMEU construction and general division national secretary Zach Smith said the inclusion of a ban on engineered stone products was welcomed.

“The deadly dust produced by engineered stone is taking the lives of young tradespeople in this country and it needs to be banned,” he said. “No matter how good a kitchen might look, it is no substitute for the health of a tradesperson.

“Make no mistake, engineered stone is the next asbestos and we need to get it banned urgently.”

Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke said he would be making announcements “in coming weeks” on how the government would ”fight the causes of silicosis in workplaces”.

Labor also backed the establishment of apprentice and trainee ratios in major government procurement contracts and the strengthening of laws to ban sham contracting. It pledged to strengthen right-of-entry powers for union officials “by removing barriers to union ­officials speaking to and representing workers”.

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Andrew McKellar said Labor’s Secure Australian Jobs Code – implemented in the party’s national platform this week – would result in job losses and business closures.

Mr McKellar said the changes were “a transparent, self-serving attempt at racketeering by the union movement”.

“The federal code will resemble what we have already seen in states like Queensland. If implemented at a federal level, we will see inflated project costs, smaller construction firms at a disadvantage, and reduced productivity across the country,” he said. “The proposed code will lead to jobs being lost and businesses closing, as yet another layer of red tape ties up the efficiency of our economy, all in the interests of the CFMEU.”