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Worker threatened for exposing low wages

Francis South, Melbourne

29 September 2007

Maurie Mahoney, Textiles Clothing and Footwear Union (TCFUA) delegate at Wangaratta’s Bruck Textiles, is being targeted at work with disciplinary action that could result in dismissal, after speaking out against Work Choices laws allowing the company to pay some workers less then the federal government’s Fair Pay standards. Bruck management informed Mahoney that he had breached his terms and conditions of employment. He was directed that he must not speak about the matter with anyone other than his wife, who is one of the Bruck workers currently being paid under the Fair Pay standard.

At $14.38 an hour, his wife’s wage is currently less then the government’s Fair Pay standards of $14.50 for her skill level, and in October when the government’s new minimum rates are introduced she’ll be even further out of pocket. Not including any shift allowances or superannuation payments, she will miss out on at least $757 a year.

“Something is terribly wrong in Australia, when ordinary workers like Maurie Mahoney can be threatened with the sack for simply telling the truth. Bruck Textiles are using Work Choices to deny workers their fair wage”, TCFUA state secretary Michele O’Neil, said.