Fed: Four-day week would put jobs at risk - Andrews

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2003
Fed: Four-day week would put jobs at risk - Andrews

Federal Workplace Relations Minister KEVIN ANDREWS says jobs will be put at risk if
the Electrical Trades Union's plan for a four-day week becomes a reality.

The union's Victorian secretary DEAN MIGHELL has raised the issue in his latest report
to members this week, saying it's time for greater work flexibility.

Mr MIGHELL says a 36-hour week has already created jobs in the power industry and it
makes sense to work them over four days, especially in the summer months.

But Mr ANDREWS says work hours should be negotiated at the workplace level instead
of being imposed across industries.

He's concerned that jobs could be at risk if a four-day week's imposed, and says the
Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry predicts such a move would increase
employers' financial burden.

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KEYWORD: WEEK (CANBERRA)

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