Viva oil refinery workers take action to secure new agreement

AMWU workers Tim Gooden
AMWU members outside Viva Energy holding a meeting and BBQ on June 18. Photo: Tim Gooden

Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) construction and maintenance members, employed by United Group Limited (UGL) are taking protected strike action to secure a new agreement without any loss of conditions.

They kicked off protected industrial action with a half-day strike at the Viva Energy refinery on June 12, and walked out again on June 19 for another half day.

If UGL do not bargain in good faith, the workers have vowed to start rolling two hours on and two hours off from June 22.

Action started after negotiations broke down when UGL sought to end redundancy provisions, income protection and tried to force workers back on to the award, meaning a loss in pay.

The protected action includes indefinite bans on overtime and call backs.

The AMWU is seeking an annual wage rise of 4.5%, overtime paid at double time, a $20 a year rise in severance pay, a gas and other special allowances, and back pay since the three-year agreement expired. The union also wants existing conditions protected.

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