FED:Unions should cool wage demands: Ferguson

AAP General News (Australia)
04-11-2011
FED:Unions should cool wage demands: Ferguson

CANBERRA, April 11 AAP - Resources Minister Martin Ferguson says unions should not
be greedy in their wage demands for workers at oil and gas plants.

A reported 30 per cent jump over two-and-a-half years in the cost of hiring an offshore
welder, for example, was not a sustainable rate, Mr Ferguson said.

That kind of wage rise had already placed pressure on the offshore building industry
and unions should heed some advice, he said.

"Don't kill the golden goose," Mr Ferguson told ABC Radio on Monday.

"We are talking about a sector of industry that is now exceptionally well paid and
we've got to see a stronger commitment - and I've raised this with industry - to apprenticeship
training."

Mr Ferguson was the president of the peak national union body, the Australian Council
of Trade Unions, between 1990 and 1996.

He said both sides had to accept a dampening in the spiralling cost of wages and accept
"a bit of give and take".

Mr Ferguson said take-home pay wasn't the only factor to be considered.

"There are far more important issues such as training young Australians in creating
long-term career opportunities through decent apprenticeships," he said.

"The wage increases that have occurred in offshore construction are unsustainable.

"Industry knows it, the commonwealth government knows it and some sections of the union
movement know it."

AAP el/jcd/pc

KEYWORD: PAY FERGUSON

� 2011 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.