Monday March 26, 2007 at 4:30pm at Launceston Trade Union Centre there will be

·        A twilight vigil on the eve of the WorkChoices Anniversary March 27, 2007

·        Unveiling of the new Rights@Work banner by Jim Challis, retired Secretary of the Federated Engine Drivers and Firemen’s  Association

·        Ceremonial burning of the WorkChoices legislation. 

March 27 is the first anniversary of the Howard Government’s unfair IR laws and it has been a bad 12 months for working families in the North East of Tasmania.

Cindy O’Connor, Your Rights at Work Campaigner for Bass said:

“This is an important day to mark because since these laws came into effect countless people have talked to me about how things have changed since they have been in place.

“We are holding this event not only for the rights that local people have lost at work but to highlight the fact that future generations will be left with these laws and that is what people are worried about most of all.

"John Howard’s own statistics give people reason to be worried about the effects of these laws. AWA/Individual Contracts made under the new laws that the Government did are so harsh that 63 per cent abolish penalty rates, 64 per cent abolish annual leave loading and 51 per cent abolish overtime pay.

“Local YR@W community activists are campaigning to do away with the laws. We are finding that many working families are now facing unfairness at work and it is legal under the new system. These laws are not helping the working families of Blue Ribbon, ACL, Auspine, Blundstone Boot Factory. Affected families will be participating in the unveiling ceremony.”

Mr Grant Courtney, Secretary of the Meat Workers Union who led the fight at Blue Ribbon Meat Works said: “John Howard has a lot to answer for including the harshness of so-called ‘Independent Contractor’ arrangements. They are a sham.

 “Working families deserve a fair go. All our kids need to live in a community where family time is respected. These laws are hard on adults and worse for kids,” Ms Jodie Campbell, ALP Federal Candidate for Bass said.

Unemployment stands at 6 per cent in Tasmania whereas it is 4.5 per cent on the mainland. The real figure for mature workers in Northern Tasmania is even higher.

“There are workers out there who are really hurting. Families are hurting. Communities are hurting. We must change these laws” Scott McLean Secretary CFMEU said.

“We are meeting tonight to highlight our campaign to defend our rights at work. WorkChoices is making it legal for employers to bully workers into cashing out family time and going back to two weeks annual leave. This so called choice is a throw back to 1945 when two weeks leave was standard.“

“Once you realise there is no choice- it will be too late,” Martin Clifford, Assistant Secretary CFMEU said.

‘With harsh realities like this it is absolutely vital that we overturn the bad workplace laws.  Everyone in the local community is invited to mark the (Not So) Happy Anniversary with us. We will have plenty of candles and glo-sticks for kids who want to be in the vigil,” Ms O’Connor said.

Event: Unveiling of Rights At Work banner with twilight vigil and ceremonial burning of the bad work laws.

Time: From 4:30pm

Location: Launceston Trade Union Centre, 237 Wellington St, Launceston