Death of the Sickie

We regret to inform you on the recent death of the sickie.

Unfortunately, for those out-of-touch union reps and the Opposition Laborites, the sickie has been dead for sometime and it is the stench of the rotting corpse that has awoken you from torpor.

Most industries are more flexible than the hardline enemies of Industrial Relations reform realise, or even want to know. If you are genuinely sick, you get to a doctor and get your medical certificate. If you are just looking for a day off, why, lo and behold that's what flexible working hours are all about.

Remember flexi-time? Yes, boys and girls, it still exists.

What the reforms are trying to do is untie employers hands so they can get on with negotiating a better deal for the employees and the company. It works both ways, do you see?

Ninety-nine point five per cent of employers aren't the mongrel dogs that the unions would have you think. Most employers just want to get on with business, and make money; that's why they're in business to begin with.

Employers are not there to coddle lazy layabouts who, when roused, bitch about their allowances, their holiday pay, their wage, their Union-given rights to work in an ergonomically-correct, equal opportunity and equitable work environment. And that includes personal well-being.

We are a long way from the 1860s when Labour Day was fought for. We are a long way from the oppressed worker, we are a long way from the halcyon days of unionism. Less than twenty percent of Australians belong to one. Surely this is significant?

I'm not saying we don't need them; we do, otherwise we really would be at risk. It is the union reps who study and understand the laws, so as to negotiate individual and collective workplace agreements... but JESUS get a grip, would you?

This is not about the undermining of individual entitlements! This is about the restructuring of them; giving the employer and the employee should he/she wish to do so the opportunity to negotiate on some rights and entitlements. This is not about stripping employee rights as the current media campaign would have you believe, and I would take issue at the misinformation being bandied about by the unions and the Opposition, that is commonly refered to as a 'lie'. The current campaign would have you believe that we are heading back into the Industrial Revolution, and work for thirteen and fourteen hours a day for a pittance. Here's a clue: some people do. They're called sweat shops. Go after them if you've got so much money to waste on lying to the public.

As for everyone else, most people are happy, or at least content, with their working environment. This change will not affect them.

Some people may be affected adversely. Show me legislation that doesn't affect someone adversely. The difference is the affected employee can choose not to work for that company; the affected person can choose to move on. Or, the affected employee may decide to accept the shitty workplace agreement, and keep an eye out for a better job.

In the current climate, there are plenty of jobs available.

And the unions should be negotiators on those jobs, not bloody namby-pamby squealie girls who protest anything to do with change that they haven't mooted.

Grow up people, the good times are here regardless of what those campaigns are saying. Get informed, stay informed and you won't lose out.