Sacked lifesavers picket base

WOLLONGONG — The crew of Wollongong’s Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter is continuing its five-week-long campaign to be reinstated. The crew was stood down on December 24 after voicing concerns about poor management and bullying.

The workers have been locked out of the base but have established a picket line to block a Sydney crew from working the helicopter. Community support is needed — for information phone the South Coast Labour Council on (02) 4229 2888 or the Socialist Alliance on (02) 4226 2010.

Grant Coleman

MUA delegate sacked

SYDNEY — On January 25, around 100 Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) members rallied outside the Circular Quay ticket office of Captain Cook Cruises in support of sacked union delegate David Swales.

The company fired Swales in early January after he returned from six week’s leave in Poland. Swales applied for the leave — his first in five years — months before Christmas, however, prior to his departure management announced that no employee could take leave during the Christmas/New Year period.

Unable to change or refund his tickets, Swales offered to take unpaid leave but was refused.

The MUA has lodged an unfair dismissal case in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.

Shane Bentley

From Green Left Weekly, February 9, 2005.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

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