A fight between employer groups and unions has erupted over a series of upcoming rallies where workers will agitate for a radical change to workplace laws.
Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox has fired back at Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus as the dispute escalates.
Ms McManus accused Mr Willox of being misleading by saying attending stop work demonstrations would in most circumstances constitute unlawful industrial action.
"The statement ignores the right of casual employees to decline to work," Ms McManus wrote.
But Mr Willox refused to remove the advice to employers from Ai Group's website, saying the statement related to workers attending union rallies without employer permission.
"Employees who withdraw their labour to attend such industrial rallies would, in most circumstances, be engaging in unlawful industrial action," he wrote to Ms McManus.
The ACTU will kick off a series of Change The Rules protests around the country in Perth on Thursday.
Next Tuesday is expected to see large numbers of workers flood the streets, with Sydney and Melbourne among the nine cities rallies are planned for.
Ms McManus has also accused the Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker of misrepresenting the rights of workers to join the protests in advice to Ai Group.
"This further material gives me greater concern that your office is engaged in a campaign to misrepresent the rights of employees in an effort to intimidate working people and embolden employers who may wish to prevent their employees from attending the rallies," the ACTU secretary wrote.
Unions' Change The Rules campaign aims to give workers greater rights in bargaining, but employer groups have warned the proposals will stifle the economy.
