Car workers reject package

Car workers reject package

ADELAIDE — 4000 workers at Holden's Elizabeth plant, covered by the Vehicle Builders Employees Federation, Metal and Engineering Workers Union, Federated Clerks Union and the Electrical Trades Union have voted to reject their first enterprise bargaining package.

The package included a flat $25 pay rise in return for compulsory overtime and a no-strike agreement.

On May 22 around 3500 VBEF members from Mitsubishi's Lonsdale and Tonsley Park plants will meet to vote on their enterprise bargaining package. Like the Holden deal, it asks for compulsory overtime and a "no extra claims" agreement.

At the centre of the package, however, is a nine and a half hour day, four day week in exchange for a 7.8% wage rise spread over the next 18 months. There is strong opposition to the package and, despite the fact that VBEF officials and a majority of shop stewards recommend a "yes" vote, it is unlikely to get up.

From GLW issue 56