FED: Reith says Oakdale bill to be brought in next week

AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-1999
FED: Reith says Oakdale bill to be brought in next week

Workplace Relations Minister PETER REITH says the government will introduce urgent
legislation next week to ensure sacked Oakdale miners receive the $6.3 million they're owed.

They've been campaigning to obtain the entitlements lost when the mine south-west of Sydney
closed down in June -- a campaign which included last Friday's national strike.

Cabinet approved a package yesterday to pay the entitlements -- including accrued sick
leave, annual leave and redundancy pay -- from the coal industry's long service leave fund.

Mr REITH has told Sydney radio 2UE the government will introduce the legislation next week.

And he says while Oakdale is a one-off situation, the government's got to consider what to
do about the same situation arising in future.

AAP RTV msl/as/rt/shm

KEYWORD: OAKDALE REITH (CANBERRA)

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