Metalworkers rally for award

MELBOURNE--Metalworkers around Victoria attended rallies to defend their award conditions over the past week. They were responding to the fact that July 1 is the day on which the provisions of the Howard government's Workplace Relations Act, stripping awards to 20 minimum conditions, come into effect.

While the rallies were sponsored by the Liquor Trades Union, the National Union of Workers and the Federated Engine Drivers and Firemen's Association, as well as the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, on June 19 it was mainly 2000 AMWU members in attendance.

John Corsetti, state secretary of the AMWU, told the workers that the metal trades bosses were now reneging on letters that they'd individually signed in 1996, which guaranteed that award conditions wouldn't be attacked

The first award conditions in their sights are hours of work. Employers want to spread work hours without having to pay penalty rates or shift loading.

After the rally, the workers marched to the Metal Trades Industry Association offices. Further rallies and stoppages are being planned.

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