NSW: Unions back push for army reserve job guarantees

AAP General News (Australia)
08-23-2000
NSW: Unions back push for army reserve job guarantees

Unions are getting behind a push to give army reservists job guarantees when they return
from active service.

More than 300 members of the Army Reserve are currently serving as full time troops
in East Timor, Bougainville and Malaysia while another 200 are based in Australia.

But they are not entitled to have their civilian jobs held open for them while they
are on army duty.

New South Wales unions will take up their cause at tomorrow night's Labor Council meeting
where they will debate changes in award agreements to ensure the reservists' continued
employment.

The Transport Workers Union has led the charge and today lodged a claim in the NSW
Industrial Relations Commission to have all industry awards changed to include job security.

TWU state secretary TONY SHELDON says anyone else in defence services in similar circumstances,
that are full time, have full protection.

Employers are also not currently legally required to give reservists the required 45
days off for training when they first join.

AAP RTV jw/alt/jn

KEYWORD: RESERVES (SYDNEY)

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