Pickets pressure Dayson bosses

BY LIAM MITCHELL

SYDNEY — Workers
at Dayson's compressor re-manufacturing plant in Rydalmere have expressed
gratitude to supporters who have been joining them on picket lines at the
company's gates. The dispute, over the sacking of seven workers (including
two delegates), has entered its seventh week.

Community pickets are being held every Thursday morning at the site
and are attracting attention to the Dayson workers' struggle from workers
at surrounding factories and warehouses. Pickets have also been held at
the office of parent company Trane.

The picket lines have increased pressure on Trane management, with workers
still inside the factory being sent home or told not to come to work on
a few occasions. There has also been a reduction of work at the factory.
A number of truck drivers have refused to cross the picket line.

Management has attempted to deliver goods late at night. One 25-tonne
compressor is still sitting in a yard in Penrith, where it has been since
July 4, because the driver damaged the truck while trying to evade a union
official.

Dayson's bosses have so far refused to negotiate with the Australian
Manufacturing Workers Union, which covers the plant's workers. The AMWU
had been trying to negotiate an enterprise agreement with Dayson management,
who retaliated with random sackings.

Management has charged AMWU delegate Serge Polyakov with entering its
premises and using a hammer in a threatening manner. This charge went to
the Industrial Relations Commission on July 2, where management was ordered
to talk to the union.

Workers and the AMWU are calling for support for the picket. Supporters
can attend the picket at 30 South Street, Rydalmere. Community pickets
are at 6.45am each Thursday. For more information, call Harry on 0419 402
650 or the picket line on 0401 086 164.

From Green Left Weekly, July 10, 2002.

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From GLW issue 499