CMG Meatworkers strike

BY TERRICA STRUDWICK

ROCKHAMPTON — On May 23 employees at Consolidated Meat Group's Lakes Creek plant called a 24-hour work stoppage. As from May 24, the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union (AMIEU) members at the plant will cease doing overtime. They will then strike again on May 27. This marks the beginning of a series of work stoppages that will continue until CMG management give the workers what they want.

A picket line, the second within a month, has blockaded the gates of the meatworks. Just five scabs managed to get into the plant.

Les Cooke, AMIEU work secretary at the Lakes Creek plant, explained to Green Left Weekly that workers are not happy with their current wages and conditions, which are set at the federal meat award level. The workers want CMG management to sign an enterprise bargaining agreement.

CMG shut the plant earlier this year for more than three months in a successful attempt to force them to accept lower wages. The plant has been back in operation for less than a month.

"We just want to get [wages and conditions] consistent with our competitors", Cooke emphasised. "I hope people are strong enough to stick with us because we can win this fight".

From Green Left Weekly, May 29, 2002.

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From GLW issue 494