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Kevin Andrews is threatening to hit Mums and Dads who join next week's protests against his workplace agenda with massive fines. Laws passed in federal parliament, this week, subject building workers to $22,000 fines if they walk off jobs to join the protests. But Andrews has threatened legal action against any worker who opposes his bills. In a bid to head off escalating opposition to the Howard Government's plan, the Minister, issued a warning to anyone who joins the nationwide protests. "I would invite workers to think carefully before considering joining any industrial action being organised by the ACTU or specific unions," Andrews said. "Employees should also be aware of the potential consequences if they choose to take unlawful industrial action." Under proscriptive laws introduced by the Howard Government, meetings and rallies are illegal forms of industrial action. Participants can be fined or gaoled, employers who choose to pay them can be fined, and unions found to have organised the actions can be slugged up to $110,000. [Extracts Workers Online]
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