Put Yourself in their Shoes

A message to Australian parents and grandparents from members of the Independent Education Union.

The Federal Government's WorkChoices legislation is one of the biggest threats to the rights and conditions of our students as they enter the workforce for the first time.

As staff in Catholic and Independent schools and in Early Childhood Education, we are acutely aware of the vulnerability of our students as they move into the workforce. As young people with limited work and negotiating experience - often in casual jobs - they are especially susceptible to harsh workplace laws and behaviours.

Our students, your children and grandchildren, should be entitled to working rights and conditions that are fair and reasonable and that provide safe workplaces. But the Federal Government's WorkChoices laws gives employers all of the choice wile leaving workers with a harsh 'take it or leave it' ultimatum.

The Howard Government must be held accountable for giving employers this unprecedented power.

As IEU members we have committed that we would not be the first generation to hand on a lesser set of rights to our children than those fought for by our parents and grandparents. 

We ask you to join us.

The Howard Government should be held accountable for the WorkChoices laws at the ballot box.

Parents and grandparents have a major stake in this. Put yourself in your children's shoes.