Members take the campaign to the footy

Hundreds of HSU members and staff handed out brochures and balloons at AFL matches on the weekend as part of the campaign against proposed cuts to employment conditions and our rights at work.

HSU members and staff joined with those from other unions at the matches in Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth which were part of the AFL family round.

Spectators arriving at the games were handed balloons and football-shaped flyers with the message that footy time and family time would both be affected by the changes proposed by Prime Minister John Howard.

ACTU president Sharan Burrow joined in handing out the flyers and launched the weekend activities with former AFL stars Che Cockatoo-Collins and Justin Madden (now Victorian Sports Minister).

The activities received extensive media coverage and provided the finish on the ACTU's week of action to protest against the cuts proposed by Mr Howard.

HSU national secretary Craig Thomson said members had made a valuable contribution towards lifting awareness about the cuts which includes cutting employment conditions and nobbling the independent umpire, the Industrial Relations Commission.

"The message that we were sending out was that the changes proposed will mean Australians will be under pressure to work longer for less," he said.

"That means less time for the footy and family activities.

"Award conditions like penalty rates, leave entitlements, overtime, long service leave and meal breaks would no longer have to be included in new agreements if this package gets through parliament unchanged.

"These changes would affect living standards and there has been no proper explanation of why they are required.

"We need a balance between work and family life and this would take that balance away for many working Australians."

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Last Modified: Wednesday, 16-Nov-2005 17:18:55 EST