An engineer and an economist were left stranded on a desert island. The only food supply was a huge box of tinned food washed up on the shore. The engineer tried unsuccessfully to engineer a means of opening the cans. It was left to the economist. He suggested, "Let us assume we have a can opener".
As citizens, we will shortly have the opportunity to vote in a Federal election. As Christians, we will need to consider Industrial Relations issues and how the major parties' policies on IR will impact Australians. But how do we factor IR into the mix when trying to work out how to vote as Christians?
Like economists, we are left to assume. Although the Bible has much to say about Industrial Relations in terms of work, wages, equity, treatment of employees, care for the poor and needy, wealth and serving masters, we cannot know what God's plans for the future are with respect to the economy, climate change or international relations.
Even as we zoom our focus on the different political parties' Industrial Relations policies, we must make assumptions, for the local and international economy, the environment, international relations, welfare, education and national security are all closely connected to Federal Industrial Relations.
To find our way through the IR labyrinth, I suggest we have to assume:
"¢ There is no interconnectedness between the issues of the environment, national security, education, the global economy etc.
"¢ Low unemployment is a very good thing. As Christians we will want to work. As human beings we are made to work (Gen 2:5,15).
"¢ We won't want to work too much. Work won't be our primary focus as we seek to serve God not money (Matthew 6:24). We will seek to ensure an appropriate work-rest balance.
"¢ We will want to provide for those who can't work (James 1:27)
One major point of difference between the parties' IR policies pertains to how the Federal Industrial Relations system operates. Labor has always advocated a centralised, unionised, collective bargaining system. The Howard Liberal-Nationals have introduced Work Choices " a decentralised system of negotiating individual contracts, often without the involvement of a trade union.
A Rudd Labor government would replace Work Choices laws and AWAs with a modernised award system and a universal safety net of 10 National Employment Standards. Their stated aim is to preserve provisions such as penalty rates and overtime. Labor would also change the current unfair dismissal provisions and introduce a safety net rate of pay. Their intent is that employees would once again be employed under collective agreements rather than individually negotiated arrangements.
They also state that "the objectives of profitability and efficiency should not override social and ecological
objectives".
The stated agenda of Family First includes improving "provisions to bring a proper balance to work and family life'.
How should Christians view these alternatives? Four considerations:
1. Employment growth
With low unemployment, workers are in a stronger bargaining position. However, if unemployment increases the balance of power shifts to the employer. Most people are in a stronger negotiating position collectively than they can be individually. On the other hand, a collective agreement will ordinarily be less flexible, as it applies to an often very large group of heterogenous employees. We are left trying to balance the needs of individuals and the collective.
If an organisation's costs increase without an increase in productivity, it will become less profitable and less able to employ more people or pay higher wage costs. If unemployment increases, more people are worse off. We should therefore consider which IR system will provide for the employment of the greatest number of people whilst providing fair pay and maximum flexibility.
2. Equity and equality
As Christians, we should be concerned about pay equity. But how should this be determined? Should a Qantas pilot flying the same type of aircraft, on the same route at same time as a Jetstar pilot be paid more, the same or less? What if his/her conditions are different?
Equity is not the same as equality. Paying someone the same rate of pay is equality. Equity goes to the question of the fairness of that arrangement.
This takes us back to the fundamental difference between the Labor and Liberal parties' IR policies. AWAs allow for different rates of pay and flexibilities where collective agreements and awards ordinarily do not.
Christians must be concerned about justice and fairness. It may or may not be unfair for two people to get paid differently. But it is certainly unfair for someone to be paid a wage that does not allow them to "live in frugal comfort'. As Christians we must ensure that the poor, disabled and marginalised also share in the wealth of our nation.
3. Flexibility
For Christians, every day is not the same, in that we want to be able to gather together one day per week, and most church services are on Sundays. Society has moved towards seven homogenous days per week.
As Christians we will want to protect Sundays, and try to maintain the right work/rest balance. More flexible work arrangements may allow for parents to be available for other commitments such as church and children.
4. Unfair Dismissal Provisions
Employer associations have argued that higher employment has been created as a result of the Liberal Government’s changes to unfair dismissal laws. Smaller employers particularly have welcomed the change.
The Labor opposition has argued the changes have been too extreme in removing any recourse for someone dismissed by a small employer to appeal the decision. If elected, Labor will change the existing legislation.
We should consider IR issues as we vote, but as we live in a complex interconnected economy, any considerations of an IR system in isolation are highly problematic. Moreover, as circumstances vary so greatly between different groups of employees it isn't possible to state categorically whether a centralised or decentralised system would more closely align with our aims as Christians. Let’s pray for God's wisdom that we might vote in accordance with his will.
The Rev Paul Sampson formerly worked in IR within the steel, food and building industries. He is now rector of Sylvania Anglican Church.
