COSBOA and the ACTU have agreed to work together on key elements of workplace relations reform and to explore ways to simplify and reduce complexity within the industrial relations system that will enable small businesses to employ more people and grow their businesses.
Together, the two associations represent nearly 2.5 million workers – COSBOA represents industry associations with over 800,000 small business members while the ACTU represents 1.6 million workers and is involved in wage-setting for more than 50 per cent of the workforce.
The two organisations have agreed to support development of a simpler system for small businesses that includes four key reforms.
- The ability for small businesses to be able to correctly embrace the workplace relations requirements
- A simpler BOOT
- New options for flexibility in the workplace
- New options around collective bargaining that include multi-employer agreements
Both organisations recognise the importance of small-business owners and employees to the Australian economy and have committed to work together with new laws to deliver workplace arrangements that are customised for small businesses that benefit owners and employees.
COSBOA chief executive Alexi Boyd said small businesses have been looking for a way forward that suit their unique needs for a long time.
“We do not have resources that are available to big business with lawyers and HR departments. The current bargaining system was not built for us, it is not efficient and is too complicated,” she said.
“We welcome the opportunity to explore new flexible single or multi-employer options that can be customised to our circumstances. The one size fits all approach doesn’t work. The Jobs Summit is an opportunity to look for new and modern solutions. Small business is seeking an environment that is conducive to employ more people and that reduces the complexity of compliance.”
ACTU secretary Sally McManus said the organisation recognises that the current system is not working for small businesses.
“We are committed to working with COSBOA to put in place bespoke and modern agreements that are easy to administer and suit the needs of employees and business owners,” she said.
“The current enterprise focused system was built for an economy of 30 years ago, it needs to be upgraded and work for the economy of today. The employees of small businesses, and their owners, should be able to access the same benefits from bargaining that bigger businesses have enjoyed.”
