Local workers, including a large contingent of teachers, health and community workers, gathered at the Bowling Club to watch live as thousands of protesters rallied in Melbourne to express their opposition to the proposed changes.

They heard speeches by everybody from Tim Ferguson to former prime minister Bob Hawke, warning against the dire effects of the new laws, which may include the loss of protection from unfair dismissal, cuts to take-home pay and a fall in the value of the minimum wage.

President of the ACTU Sharon Burrow said the new legislation was all part of the Government's plan to shift the balance of power from employees back to employers, but promised they would not be able to do it easily.

"We're ready to fight like we've never fought before," she declared.

Secretary of the ACTU Greg Combet agreed.

"We will campaign for as long and as hard as it takes. These past months have only been the warm-up to the main event," he said.

He encouraged all union members to take the fight out into the community and win the support of the wider Australian public.

Local union representative Erich Riesinger said they would be trying to raise awareness of the issue within Lightning Ridge and the surrounding area.

"We want to raise the issue and make sure everybody in the community understands what the implications are," he said.

"This could cause us to lose the awards that we have fought long and hard for."