Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) construction and maintenance members, employed by United Group Limited (UGL) at the Viva Viva Oil Refinery who took protected strike action to secure a new agreement have won most of their demands.
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.
This and rolling stoppages bought UGL back to the table, and the new enterprise agreement was announced on July 16.
The new agreement includes: no loss of entitlements; a pay rise of 4%, 4% and 3.5% each year over three years; two new allowances and two paid rest days when workers change from night to day shift after a long period. The union also secured a $3000 sign-on bonus, back pay to July 1 and a new higher rate of pay for non-trades people.
[Tim Gooden is a retired member of the Construction Forestry Mining Employees Union and a member of Socialist Alliance.]