VIC: Government pressured over 36 hour week claim

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2000
VIC: Government pressured over 36 hour week claim

The Victorian government is facing mounting pressure to intervene in the building industry's
36-hour week dispute.

While acting Premier JOHN THWAITES says the government has no power to influence the
unions claim, the state opposition and business groups are urging the government to assert
its strength.

Mr THWAITES says the government is hamstrung by the federal industrial relations system,
which allows individual bargaining between employers and employees.

He's told radio 3AW that the federal government has taken the government, and certainly
the state government, out of the equation.

Mr THWAITES says they have a limited role, but believe it's important for employers
and employees in the building industry to resolve their issues.

The Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union is pursuing a 36-hour week and has
predicted mayhem in the industry as it works to strike a deal.

Opposition industrial relations spokesman MARK BIRRELL says the government is scared
to take on the unions.

AAP ljm/ra/tso/jn

KEYWORD: BUILDING (MELBOURNE)

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