Hugo Boss workers attacked

BY SUE BULL

MELBOURNE — Workers sacked by Hugo Boss (formerly called Flair Menswear) found themselves under greater attack this week. Twenty-five workers and leaders of their union, the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia (TCFUA), were indicted in the Federal Court on March 13 to stop them from participating in a peaceful picket line.

The workers were sacked on February 26. They are seeking a better redundancy package.

Some of the workers named in the indictment had not even been at the picket line — but were outspoken union members. The indiction was an attempt to intimidate the workers into returning to work. It hasn't worked. "We are united. We'll stay on this picket line as long as we don't drop dead", shop steward Elizabeth Vujkov said.

The situation has become increasingly violent after one supporter, Socialist Alliance member Geoff Spencer, was badly assaulted by one of the Boss bosses while he was participating in the peaceful assembly. The incident enraged the workers.

Then, one of the sacked workers was hospitalised after being run down by a truck at the picket line on March 15. She may have been pushed in front of the truck as it attempted to break the picket line. Police are investigating.

If you wish to show your support for the workers then fax messages to the TCFUA on (03) 9348 1779 or ring (03) 9347 3377.

From Green Left Weekly, March 20, 2002.

Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

From GLW issue 485