Labor Welcomes MUA Excess
Wednesday, 03 February 2010 16:21
Senator Arbib has today made an embarrassing admission, by confirming that Labor "welcomes" wage claims of over $50,000 for high income workers - without any productivity offsets.
Senator Arbib was responding to a question where workers already earning upwards of $130,000 per year, have forced a deal where they will now receive in excess of $180,000 per year.
In confirming that Labor's so-called 'Fair Work' laws have given unions the green light to make excessive wage claims without productivity offsets, Senator Arbib undermined the Rudd and Gillard rhetoric about the new laws.
Senator Arbib told the Chamber today that the agreement was reached between the employer and the employees, neglecting to point out that the union involved had held the employer to ransom through strike action and then further threats of strike action. The agreement was in actual fact reached between the employer and the union NOT the employer and the employees.
"Kevin Rudd tells us productivity is crucial; Julia Gillard told us the Fair Work laws promoted productivity. But when it comes to actually delivering productivity, these laws have failed dismally. And this dismal failure is welcomed by Senator Arbib."
"If in fact the MUA believes that the employers are "dinosaurs" for wanting productivity offsets then the Government are ostriches for putting their head in the sand by not ensuring the objects of the Fair Work Act are met, which include promotion of productivity through collective bargaining," said Senator Abetz.
"What is more Senator Arbib lives in denial about the consequences. His voodoo economics mean that he believes these excessive wage increases will not lead to wage inflation or cost of living increases and job losses."
"The Australian economy better fasten its seat belt and hope the airbags work for the inevitable crash."
