ARA is currently conducting focus groups for members to discuss a number of critical issues for retailers in relation to agreement making in the lead up to the next federal election. The first of these focus groups was held in Melbourne on 17 May. Members with both individual and collective agreements made since the commencement of WorkChoices came together to discuss a range of matters including the flexibilities achieved through agreement making, what governs a retailer’s choice of agreement type, the benefits of an operation upon lodgement system, and the new “fairness test”. The group also discussed ALP’s policy to abolish AWAs and establish good faith collective bargaining and democracy as the heart of Labor’s national workplace relations system for the private sector.
These focus groups are highlighting the flexibilities retailers have achieved through agreement making as well opposition to any proposals to abolish a statutory individual agreement making option. The information being provided by members as part of these focus groups will assist ARA in our discussions with the Government, the ALP and other political parties in the lead up to the next federal election and beyond. Members who have put federal agreements in place since 27 March 2007 who would like to participate in future Agreement Making Focus Groups should contact ARA Employee Relations in Melbourne on (03) 9321 5020.
