Vodaphone workers face sackings

MELBOURNE — Forty workers for telecommunications company Vodaphone turned up to what they thought would be an ordinary day of training on March 15, only to find themselves being marched out of the gates flanked by security guards.

The 40 were the first of planned mass sackings aimed at stripping 12% from the company's 3024-strong work force. The company is refusing to announce where or when the next sackings will take place.

“It was a complete shock. There are some people who stand to lose their house, their mortgage over this”, said one worker, Robyn Van Schaik. Workers are also concerned that their entitlements will not be paid in full.

Workers picket for entitlements

SYDNEY — Thirty workers are picketing their former employer, a printing company in the inner suburb of Marrickville, demanding their entitlements, after they were sacked without notice by administrators on May 15.

The sacked workers and their union, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, are angry that the company's structure has been designed to protect Champion Forms owners' profits and assets from claims by workers.

“One company employed the workers, and has few assets on paper. Another company received payments for work done. A different company owns the property, while other companies, which are still operating, hold the assets and continue to profit”, said the AMWU's Mark West.

Some of the workers involved have worked for Champion Forms for many years, and are renowned for the quality of their work in the printing industry. They are asking supporters of their campaign to drop into the picket line at 7-21 Smith Street between 7am and 3pm, and contact their local MP or union about the robbery of their entitlements.

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