Tradelink attacks unions

By Nikki Ulasowski WOLLONGONG — Pickets were set up outside Tradelink stores here and in Nowra on November 17 following the sackings of six workers from Tradelink Plumbing Supplies. All were members of the National Union of Workers (NUW). NUW state president Fay Campbell told Green Left Weekly, that the company was attempting to de-unionise the work place, "similar to the CRA dispute". He said that when the workers turned up for work in the Oak Flats and Nowra stares, they received their pay and were told to leave. "The company told us that workers are being laid off because there is lack of jobs. However, the four sacked workers from the Oak Flats store are now being replaced with five non-union workers from other stores", Campbell said. The South Coast Labor Council disputes committee has endorsed the NUW's picket lines. Since the dispute Tradelink Plumbing Supplies has also hired a private investigator to discredit union delegate Adrian Deezey. As part of the action, the NSW NUW has placed bans on Tradelink's supplies, and the Transport Workers Union is respecting the picket line.

From GLW issue 213