THE ACTU says the resources sector will be targeted as part of the union movement's campaign to phase out individual employment contracts.
Many believe that union safety representatives have a dramatic, positive impact on safety at work and with more power could possibly prevent a number of the fatalities and injuries that have recently occurred in the mining industry.
The resources sector is a focus because it was a big user of John Howard’s Work Choices which meant the use of individual employment contracts.
The ACTU seeks to use Labor's new workplace laws or Fair Work Act, to impose collective bargaining on employers and increase union membership and influence across workplaces.
The Australian Mines and Metals Association has lashed out at the ACTU and the new laws, claiming they would give unions a seat at the bargaining table, regardless of the interests of employees.
Labor's new workplace laws become compulsory on 1 July 2009.
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