The small business lobby has withdrawn its support for the government’s proposals for multi-employer bargaining and joined other peak employer and industry groups in demanding the legislation be reconsidered.stood with the ACTU at the Jobs and Skills Summit
Under the current proposal, a business with fewer than 15 staff, including casuals and part-timers, would be exempt. Independent senator David Pocock, whose support is critical, wants that clarified as 15 full-time equivalents. Its decision to join the other groups in opposing the multi-employer bargaining proposals is a setback to the government, which has often cited COSBOA’s support in its defence.
“This deeper consideration should include removing the provisions to allow widespread use of multi-employer bargaining backed by strike action.”