Western Australian employers view today’s decision by hundreds of unionists to walk off the job to rally through the city streets as a worrying sign of things to come under the Federal Government’s proposed industrial relations laws.

Now is not the time for unions to be jeopardising Western Australia’s, and the Nation’s, economic future and prosperity with a series of disruptive and damaging strikes.

The need for workplace harmony, a productive workforce and an efficient industrial relations system has never been greater as industrialised economies across the world, including Australia, seek to minimise the impacts of the current global economic uncertainty.

Old school union militancy and economically disruptive strikes are not what the Australian people voted for at the last Federal election.

Today's union rally isn't in pursuit of better working conditions or legitimate workplace concerns, rather it is a brazen show of strength by several militant unions.

Unions across the country will be handed greater control of Australian workplaces under the Federal Government's plan to overhaul the industrial relations system.

Unions will soon have the right to enter workplaces, regardless of whether they have members employed by the company or not, be able to intrude on the privacy of individual workers by gaining access to their confidential employment records, and have a greater say over agreement making and workplace issues.

Today's union organised rally is a further example of why a powerful construction industry watchdog is needed to police the industry.

CCI believes the new building industry watchdog earmarked to replace the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) in 2010 should be given the same strong powers to monitor the construction industry and keep a lid on improper behaviour.

Statement by CCI Executive Director, Economic Policy, John Nicolaou