Unions, human rights and God

Eighty-nine years ago, on November 11, at 11am, the armistice was signed to mark the end of hostilities in the first world war: 60,000 Australian soldiers died and 156,000 were wounded or taken prisoner in World War 1.

Those soldiers believed they were fighting for freedom.

Thirty-two years ago, on November 11, at 1pm the elected Australian prime minister was sacked by an unelected Governor General.

And now we know the result of this year’s great Australian exercise in democracy - the federal election.

One of the key issues to dominate debate is industrial relations and workers’ rights. Today we’ll look at a couple of readings to help us look at these issues from some different perspectives. The first reading is taken from John Paul II’s 1981 encyclical Laborum Exercens or “On human work”. This encyclical built upon earlier statements by Pope Leo XIII in 1891. Its principles are long-standing Catholic principles and those core principles have not altered.

It speaks of how work unites people. Indeed, many spend a third of their lives at work. A large percentage of people meet their partners at work. Many have strong friendships with their workmates. Work unites in times of trouble - it was Brant Webb and Todd Russell’s workmates who helped dig them out of that mine shaft. At times of death, work colleagues often form a guard of honour at the funeral providing comfort to grieving loved ones.

Of course work is what pays the bills, keeps food on the table, clothes and educates our children, if you’re lucky it helps you save for retirement, maybe some luxuries and for many it helps us give something back to our community. Work enables it all.

For many people - rightly or wrongly - their self esteem is built around their work. It gives them a sense of identity, a role in their community.

The Pope went on say that the organisations that represent workers - unions - “… are indeed a mouthpiece for the struggle for social justice, for the just rights of working people”. Further, he said unions are a constructive factor of social order and solidarity, and it is impossible to ignore them. Dignity at work is as important as dignity at home, dignity in the community and dignity before the law.

In 1986 when he visited Australia he said:

Australia has a long and proud tradition of settling industrial disputes and promoting co-operation by its almost unique system of arbitration and conciliation. Over the years this system has helped to defend the rights of workers and promote their well being, while at the same time taking into account the needs and the future of the whole community.

The former Pope and indeed the hierarchy of the Catholic Church is generally not known for being “anti-business” or extreme in its political view. And nor is it. Conservative is where most would place the Catholic hierarchy on the socio-political spectrum. However, on the issue of unions and dignity at work - the church’s official position is neither extreme nor arch conservative. It is merely responsible.