Proposed Change to Fair Work Act

Right of Entry Proposals Recipe for Disruption

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5028

Non-union employees trying to enjoy their meal breaks in peace could be in for a rude shock. The government has tabled legislation to significantly widen unions’ Right of Entry. In future, if this law is passed, union officials will have a legal right to enter lunch rooms/staff canteens and conduct meetings.

There have been many disputes about this issue over the long history of industrial regulation in Australia. It has been rare for the resolution of such a dispute to result in a union official being allowed access to these places. The rationale has always been that employees ought to be allowed to have their meal breaks free from soliciting.

The same legislation also requires employers in remote locations to provide transport and accommodation to union officials who wish to visit the workplaces. The Bill can be viewed at the link below.