The Abbott Government has turned its back on Australian workers and sided with big business to drive down wages and conditions in this country, unions said today.
ACTU President Ged Kearney said workers have been misled by Prime Minister Abbott who told voters before the election that he would not attack their penalty rates but has now shamelessly and dramatically changed his tune.
"In one of the most partisan interventions in memory, the Mr Abbott has joined forced with employers to advocate for sweeping changes to our safety net in the government submission to the Fair Work Commission's review of Modern Awards," Ms Kearney said.
"In just one week we have seen Mr Abbott attack enterprise bargaining and misrepresent the wages and conditions of SPC workers and now he is attacking the Award safety net that underpins the conditions of all workers.
"This is a government that has done nothing to stand up for Australian jobs and is siding with big business to drive down wages and conditions in this country.
"Workers will not stand by and cop an assault on the wages of our lowest paid workers. They will not accept hourly rates of $2.50 as happens in the United States. We do not want a working poor in our country.
"The Abbott Government is demonstrating that it's willing to mislead the public, attack the pay packets of those who can least afford it and push for wage decreases across all industries in order to appease its business allies.
"They are basing their attacks on the lie that we have a wages breakout and that productivity is low.
"Penalty rates are paid to those workers who support businesses by working hours others don't want to work such as Sundays, public holidays and late nights.
"The only interpretation that can be made of the government's opening submission to the Award review is that once again, it will back big business at the expense of the most vulnerable and lowest-paid workers in our society.
"It is unacceptable for the government to continue scapegoating workers for its own failures to protect jobs and industries, and workers will see this for what it is: a blatant campaign to cut wages and conditions of working Australians.
"This is an extreme Government who is unapologetically gunning for the pay packets of low and average earning Australians."
Media contact: Carla De Campo, 0410 579 575 and Eleni Hale, 0418 793 885