The Morrison government is attempting to dodge an old-school industrial relations brawl with the door ajar on negotiating controversial enterprise bargaining reform.
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Under the plan, the Fair Work Commission would be able to consider coronavirus impacts when approving agreements that fail the better off overall test.
Labor and unions have threatened to wage war on the coalition's omnibus bill which also proposes changes for casual employment, awards, wage theft and long-term agreements.
Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter raised the prospect of changing the legislation to secure its passage through parliament.
"We're not going to get into this old 1997 politics," he told reporters in Canberra on Thursday.
"This is going to be a calm, rational discussion which has to serve the best interests of the people who need the government to assist in job growth."
Mr Porter conceded changes to enterprise bargaining were inserted in the past two weeks but denied blindsiding unions.
To approve deals that don't guarantee all workers are better off, there would also have to be support from employers and employees.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese attempted to move a motion in parliament calling on the government to withdraw the bill one day after it was introduced.
"This government's Christmas present to Australian workers is to cut their take-home pay," he said.
But the government used its numbers to kill off the stunt.
Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O'Neil indicated a willingness to talk with the government and employer groups about changes.
"No law should be put in place where workers are disadvantaged and they lose rights, pay or conditions," she told reporters in Canberra.
Mr Porter indicated the government wouldn't take an all-or-nothing approach to the controversial bargaining paragraphs of the bill.
"I don't think they are the most important part of the bill, but nevertheless they are important," he said.
"They offer an avenue for very distressed businesses where the distress has been caused by COVID."
A parliamentary inquiry will scrutinise the legislation before it comes to a Senate vote some time next year.
Labor and the ACTU have attacked changes to casual employment, which allow employers to categorise workers to avoid paying leave entitlements as well as loadings.
There is also disagreement about long-term or greenfield enterprise agreements.
Unions are opposed to eight-year deals for projects worth $500 million, rather than the current four years, and a $250 million threshold for projects deemed to be in the national interest.
Australian Associated Press
