churchasemployer (184.8 kb)

 covenant_for_employment (595.7 kb)

 Deregulation or reregulation? A position paper on the proposed changes to the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (204.8 kb)
When taken as an inter-related whole, the BSR cannot support the Amendment Bill as it stands. Rather than providing for a fairer, more cost effective and simpler system we see the structural changes and a number of other amendments shifting the focus to a more legalistic and costly system. We nevertheless concede that some changes would be desirable. Some of these are indicated throughout this paper while others are outlined under 'more appropriate directions for reform'.

 Doorway to Where? Young People Entering the Workforce (133.6 kb)
The 1997 meeting of the NSW Synod looked at some length at the issue of young people and the workplace. There is a video of the presentation made to synod (available for loan from UnitingCare NSW.ACT, or for purchase from the Youth Unit). The discussion paper Doorway to Where? was a report to the synod for this session, and was prepared by Ann Wansbrough in consultation with the Synod Youth Unit and Burnside. It includes questions for discussion and reflection.

 WorkChoices: Impacts on the Community (33.8 kb)
Speech to the Health Services Union Conference, 13 March 2006:“WorkChoices” erodes human rights and social values. For the churches, it is contrary to our understanding of what God wants for the world. The effects will undermine community and family life and damage the future of Australia. WorkChoices means that this nation will pass on a distorted set of values and distorted society to our children and grandchildren.

 Submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Independent Contractor's Legislation (235.6 kb)
We have several areas of concerns. The bill deprives many low paid workers of adequate protection against exploitation. The bill does not deliver the full policy intention of effectively protecting outworkers. Regulation can be used to override further state legislation and clauses within the bill itself.

 Workplace Relations Changes: Info Action sheet (145.3 kb)
The Australian Government proposes to make substantial changes to labour law later this year. This info-action sheet outlines the changes and suggests how they can be evaluated by Christians.

 NSW Synod 2005 Statement on proposed changes to Workplace Relations (7.2 kb)

 Press Release: Exploitation of most vulnerable people likely if IR changes proceed (28.9 kb)
A leading non-government employer today expressed concern about the effects of the Federal Government’s proposed industrial relations changes on the lowest paid workers.

 Submission to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission February 2001 in relation to award safety net adjustment (216.7 kb)
This submission is made on behalf of UnitingCare NSW.ACT, drawing on both the teaching of the Uniting Church in Australia and the experience of clients through two of our community services, Burnside and Western Sydney Tenants' Service, as well as the wider research of UnitingCare into human rights, economic justice and human well-being.

 Valuable work: an ethical framework for employment policy (170.8 kb)
In approaching this topic we need to recognise that "value" has several quite different meanings.

 Workplace Relations Changes - Effects on Outworkers: Info Action Sheet (154.1 kb)
UnitingCare NSW.ACT is concerned about the effects of changes to workplace relations law being proposed by the Australian Government. In our info-action sheet Work Justice we focused mainly on changes to the Workplace Relations Act. In this sheet we focus on changes to other laws that will also affect the pay, conditions and rights of workers. The Uniting Church has for many years supported the Fair Wear Campaign, aimed at improving the conditions of outworkers in the garment industry. Some of the proposed changes raise particular problems for these workers.