The Ballarat Trades Hall Council plans to bus about 500 workers to protest against the Federal Government's planned industrial relations reforms.

The action is set to cost Ballarat thousands of dollars through lost productivity, with a number of businesses to be forced to operate with reduced workforces.

The union campaign is targeting a package of federal reforms including a reduction in the number of conditions allowed in workplace awards, abolition of unfair dismissal protection for workers in firms

with up to 100 workers, and the creation of a Fair Pay Commission to set minimum wages.

Ballarat Trades Hall secretary Graeme Shearer predicted that the rally would cause minimal disruption.

However, he said workers planning to attend the rally should report any threats or intimidation to their union.

"Production will be down in some places but this is a very important issue for workers in Ballarat," Mr Shearer said.

"We won't be stepping back and this is the first step in a prolonged campaign. Every aspect of this proposed legislation means a loss for Ballarat workers.

Ballarat MHR Catherine King also added her support yesterday to the rally.

"John Howard is out there saying he's a friend of working Australians," she said.

"If that was the case, why is it John Howard has opposed every minimum wage case since 1996?

"Ballarat minimum wage earners would today be $50 a week or $2600 a year worse off if John Howard had got his way.

"I will certainly be standing alongside the trade union movement and working families in this campaign against John Howard's industrial reforms."

But Australian Industry Group Victorian director Tim Piper urged Ballarat workers to think hard before deciding to strike. "There is no right for anyone to strike on Thursday, and anyone taking part

should lose a day's pay," Mr Piper said.