Where George leads, city employers should follow
I READ with interest in the Townsville Bulletin dated June 21 that George Christensen, the Member for Dawson, bravely crossed the floor of Federal Parliament in an unsuccessful attempt to stop cuts to weekend penalty rates.
Mr Christensen is to be congratulated on standing up to a government that has accepted wage rises of several thousand dollars and believes it is appropriate to give tax cuts to the wealthy but, at the same time, is intent on denying workers their basic industrial rights. Retail, hospitality and fast food employees are already among the lowest paid workers in the country.
Some employers, including Townsville employers, to their credit, have already stated they will retain penalty rates despite the Federal Government’s draconian industrial decision.
It would be wonderful if some of our major employers of casual labour in Townsville could publicly state that they intend to do the same thing. Employers such as Brothers Rugby League Club, the Townsville RSL and the Cowboys are iconic Townsville identities and are all well patronised by Townsville’s working people.
I frequent these three entities ( sometimes a little too frequently, according to my wife) but if maintaining penalty rates means I have to pay a few extra cents for a beer or an extra dollar for a meal to maintain the status quo then so be it.
I am of the opinion that Townsville’s young people ( and the majority of people affected are young people) deserve a fair go and I am of the belief that most people in our fair city feel the same way. BOB BRICE,
Townsville.