FED: Union targets award breaches by farmers

AAP General News (Australia)
04-07-1999
FED: Union targets award breaches by farmers

The Australian Workers' Union says it will target award breaches by farmers as part of its
major campaign to upgrade services for shearers and shedhands.

The union claims farmers are being encouraged to exploit shearers by a federal government
hostile to unionism.

The union's national secretary TERRY MUSCAT says Workplace Relations Minister PETER REITH
has signalled his attack on farm workers with a plan to slash the Pastoral Industry Award.

He says the award cuts will allow shearers to shear infected and wet sheep, cancerous sheep
or sheep infested with maggots.

Shearers and shedhands book their seasonal work in advance, and Mr MUSCAT says they rely on
sheep being in a condition that allows them to work efficiently and safely.

AAP RTV shm/tsm/kbw/rt

KEYWORD: SHEARERS (SYDNEY)

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.