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Wayne Berry MLAACT Legislative Assembly Member for Ginninderra |
Home / Workers / Holidays and Leave / Union Picnic Day
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Since 1939 workers in the ACT have celebrated Union Picnic Day. It is traditionally celebrated on the first Monday in March.
In 1938 a decision was made to coordinate the various union picnics into a general Union Picnic Day. Organised by the Trades and Labour Council of the A.C.T. Union Picnic Day has been an important event for workers and their families ever since.
For a nominal ticket price a family can enjoy a day of entertainment, food and the company of family and friends. The nominal ticket price covers any size of family and any parent can testify to the excellent value for money.
Wayne has long defended private sector employees' right to this family day off against a barrage of mean spirited attempts to abolish the holiday.
Following an attempt by the Victorian Kennett Government to remove a range of holidays from Victorian Workers, the ACT Chamber of Commerce and Industry sought to strike Union Picnic Day from private sector awards in the ACT.
The initial attack on this important employee right was aimed at the lower paid and weaker areas of the private sector, where the workers were mainly female.
Industries Affected |
| Retail and Wholesale Industry (89% female) |
| Hairdressing (75% female) |
| Child Care Industry (99% female) |
| Catering Cafes and Restaurants (70% female) |
| Community Services Home Care (95% female) |
| Community and Aged Care (80% female) |
| Parking Stations (70% female) |
| Hotels Clubs and Boarding Establishments (60% female) |
| Caretakers Cleaners and Lift Drivers (70% female) |
If the moves were allowed to persist unchallenged the holiday would come under attack on a wider front and a precedent would be set for an attack on other holidays enjoyed by public sector workers in the Christmas - New Year period.
Recognising that some employers will jump at any opportunity to reduce workers’ rights Wayne moved to defend Union Picnic Day in legislation.
Wayne introduced a bill seeking to add Union Picnic Day to the list of holidays prescribed in the Holidays Act. The Liberal Government opposed the legislation but commonsense and goodwill prevailed with the rest of the Assembly supporting it, and so it became law.
Hansard Statements
Trade unions, picnic day, 362, 367, 542Trade unions, picnic day, 435, 442
Trade unions, picnic day, 363
Trade unions, Picnic Day, 1220qn