Solidarity actions for Brownbuilt workers

BY CHRIS SPINDLER

MELBOURNE — As the picket line at the Arrowcrest-owned Brownbuilt factory here entered its fourth week, community activists and other unionists supporting the Brownbuilt workers targeted other sites owned by Arrowcrest.

At ROH wheels in Campbellfield, flying pickets held up the delivery of steel wheels to the car companies. ROH is the sole supplier of the wheels, delivered on a daily basis, to Ford and Toyota. The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), which covers the Brownbuilt workers, is organising nationally coordinated actions at other Arrowcrest sites, which include TRW in Sydney and Kockums in Melbourne.

The Brownbuilt workers have been locked out for six months following attempts to negotiate a new enterprise agreement. Their claim is in line with the Campaign 2000 claim of 15% over 33 months, including income protection and long-service leave improvements. The company has offered 12% over 36 months.

Messages of solidarity and donations to the campaign fund can be sent to the AMWU office at 440 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne 3000.

From GLW issue 424