Dear Supporter,
The use of taxpayers dollars to purchase government goods can be a practical and direct way of supporting local industry and workers.
Many millions of dollars are spent every year on Government purchasing. In the Textile Clothing and Footwear Industry this includes:
- Uniforms for Government and Government Agency workers (eg police, firefighters, nurses, ambulance officers, rangers)
- The material used to make the uniforms
- The material used for fitting out Government buildings (eg blinds, curtains, chair and furniture coverings)
- Carpets in Government buildings (eg offices, hospital, schools)
- Linen used in Government services (eg hospitals, jails).
With the introduction of new Federal Government Industrial Relations laws that reduce workers rights and conditions state and local governments can provide some protection for Victorian workers through their purchasing policy.
They can also make a real difference to the number of jobs that remains in Victoria and Australia.
The “Buy Local Buy Ethical” Campaign is about getting practical outcomes for workers from state and local governments. It aims to:
- Keep Jobs in Australia
- Make sure the workers in those jobs have their rights and conditions respected and protected.
Let your local members of parliament and the Premier know what you think.
I urge you to make sure this State Government lives up to its rhetoric about opposing to the so called “Workchoices” approach to Industrial Relations and supporting local industry.
In unity,
Michele O’Neil
State Secretary
