“WorkChoices is draconian yet people remain unaware”, said John Bailey.

This Saturday, October 14, at midday the Greens, Unions and welfare groups will challenge the Federal Government’s WorkChoices and Welfare to Work laws.

The Real Choices not WorkChoices forum will take place in Railway Park, by the Byron Bay Railway Station.

Monkey & the Fish and other local artists will be on hand to provide musical relief from all the politics.

Greens MLC, Lee Rhiannon, will be one of the guest speakers at the forum. Lee recently moved an amendment to NSW legislation to minimize the impact of the WorkChoices Bill on NSW State employees.

Representatives from Northern Rivers Unionist Network (NRUN) will draw on the swelling number of real life case studies to explain the implications of WorkChoices and provide strategies to manage workplace changes.

Angela Pollard, from NR Community Legal Service will outline Welfare Rights issues and the impact “Welfare to Work’ Agreements have on under-employed and low income workers.

“We need an industrial relations system that recognises the rights of working people to organise and collectively bargain,” John Bailey said. “We need a welfare system that encourages participation and supports people in need.”

“All people have the right to decent working conditions and living standards.”

Don’t let Howard’s supposedly Aussie values push us back into the 19 century! Dress up in your best 'Dickensian' rags, bring hoola hoops and juggling balls to show your flexiblility.