The Unions NSW calls on the Federal Government to establish a 'right to worship' protection in the Fairness Test provision of the Australian Workplace Agreements (AWA), after it is revealed that a pastor at a Hillsong church was denied the option of taking Sundays off when negotiating an AWA.
Reverend Graham Guy from the Hillsong church, told the Sydney Morning Herald that he was subject to 'religious persecution' after refusing to sign up to an AWA stipulating that he works 7 days a week, with the available hour from 6 a.m. to midnight.
Stellar Call Centre Solutions, the employer gave no alternative to Reverend Guy and the job offer was rescinded, reported the Sydney Morning Herald.
John Roberston, the Unions NSW secretary said in a press statement that John Howard's IR law put the interest of employers ahead of those workers. He warned that employees are losing control of traditional family time such as time to worship.
"As we have warned in the past, workers are losing control of traditional family time such as the time to worship, be it Sunday or other significant days," said Mr. Robertson.
He has called on the Prime Minister to extend the fairness test to include the right of workers to stipulate a day of worship where they cannot be forced to work.