IR umpire wrong on union access: Gillard

17/03/2010 | 11:12 AM

A ruling by Australia's industrial umpire got the balance wrong in allowing unions unrestricted access to work sites, Workplace Relations Minister Julia Gillard says.

The federal government is supporting the Australian Industry Group's appeal against a Fair Work Australia decision because it dilutes right-of-entry provisions in the Fair Work Act.

Ms Gillard said approval of an enterprise agreement between NSW company Dunlop Foams and the National Union of Workers on February 22 failed to honour the spirit of the legislation.

"We just think as a matter of technicality and law that this ruling is not in accordance with the balance that we put in the Fair Work legislation," she told reporters in Canberra.

Union officials are required to have a permit and give 24 hours notice under the legislation.

Ms Gillard said there needed to be a balance between the legitimate need of trade unions to be in workplaces and the legitimate needs of employers to conduct their businesses "unimpeded".