Union launches national campaign to save Job Network workers

The Australian Services Union is today launching a national campaign and website to pressure the Federal Government to save the jobs of Job Network staff. The national campaign follows the announcement by the Government that 28% of current contracts will be cut

The campaign will target workers affected by the Federal Government's radical changes to employment services. These changes cut funding to over 100 employment services and thousands of current jobs, and will fund new providers. The website aims to provide a conduit for impacted workers to help them find new employment with the newly funded providers.

Australian Services Union Assistant National Secretary Linda White said thousands of employment services workers will have their livelihoods thrown up in the air - with no idea if they will land with a job or in the lengthening unemployment queues. The website www.saveourjobs.com.au provides a channel to have all affected workers registered to link up with other workers and gain employment with a potential new employer in the sector.

"A significant concern is the non-renewal of employment services contracts in the not-for-profit sector where the funding subsidises jobs and services in other areas, most notably homelessness and drug and alcohol rehabilitation services.

"We are yet to see the impact on the community of these services going. Naturally we are concerned that private sector and foreign owned businesses are reported to be taking up new contracts. It is hard to see them making a similar commitment to the community.

"In this difficult environment ASU would welcome opportunities to work with the Federal Government to protect jobs and relieve anxiety of employment services workers," Ms White said.

Campaign bulletin

28% of services to lose contracts

The federal government's decision to restructure employment services is set is see thousands of staff declared redundant. Today the Government has announced that 28% of all services will lose their contracts.

The Union expects many hundreds, if not thousands of workers to be displaced and made redundant.

To protect your jobs, ensure your entitlements and have a say about your future you need to act now! Go to http://www.saveourjobs.com.au/

Download the full bulletin HERE

Have your say

• Do you work in Employment Services?
• What do you think about what is happening?
• Are you concerned about your job?
• Are you concerned about the provision of quality services to people attempting to participate in the workforce?
• Have you been told what your employer plans to do?