FED: Ombudsman looking into SBS AWA allegations

AAP General News (Australia)
12-06-2007
FED: Ombudsman looking into SBS AWA allegations

The Workplace Ombudsman is looking into allegations staff at SBS have been pressured
to sign AWA's .. before they're scrapped by the new federal government.

The government has promised to scrap new AWAs as soon as possible .. but all current
AWAs will continue until their term expires.

SBS has denied reports that staff are being pressured to sign new agreements before
the new rules come into effect.

A spokeswoman says AWAs will no longer be offered to new staff .. but people offered
recently-advertised jobs under AWAs may still sign them.







The ombudsman warned employers this week not to rush workers onto AWAs following the
change of government .. and said employers mustn't subject their workers to undue pressure
to sign AWAs.

The ombudsman's also announced it's investigating Telstra over allegations it pressured
workers to sign AWAs.

AAP RTV ag/rl/tm/bart

KEYWORD: WORKPLACE SBS (CANBERRA)

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