Workplace relations poll

June 1 2005 - The ACTU has released a national survey showing that public opinion is against the Federal Government’s plans for radical changes to workplace relations.

ACTU Secretary Greg Combet said: "With seven out of ten working people (69%) believing the changes will create more fear in the workplace, the Prime Minister is wrong to dismiss the results of this opinion poll and does so at his own political peril.

According to the ACTU, The survey shows Government plans for major changes to workplace relations are severely out of step with the opinion of ordinary working people.

The survey of 600 employed people was conducted by MarketMetrics Research, a Melbourne-based independent research company between 23-26 May. The poll found that:

• 62% thought wages would be reduced under the Government’s workplace changes
• 64% believe the changes will reduce job security
• 69% believe the Government’s changes will create more fear in the workplace
• 55% support a union campaign against the industrial relations changes

The survey probed the attitudes of employees to the main changes proposed by the Government, which include:

• Abolishing protection from unfair dismissal
• Removing conditions from the award safety net
• Limiting the ability of workers to collectively bargain with their employer
• Changing the way minimum wages are set so there are smaller pay increases in future
• Moving employees from awards and collective agreements onto individual contracts
• Reducing the role of the independent Industrial Relations Commission.

The sample comprised a national random selection of households proportional to the population distribution across all states and capital cities. A survey of 600 provides results that are at the 95% confidence level - subject to a sampling variation of 2-4%.