ACI reneges on agreement
By Chris Slee
MELBOURNE — Management at the ACI glass mould manufacturing plant has reneged on concessions made in negotiations with the union. Members of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union have been locked out since December 20 in a dispute over an enterprise agreement.
The workers at the Lexton Road, Box Hill, plant want a pay rise while retaining existing conditions. The company is trying to impose unrestricted management prerogative, make workers do extra duties with no extra pay and introduce de facto casualisation.
Negotiations took place on February 1. In the meeting, it appeared that the company was prepared to make concessions to resolve the dispute. But later it faxed the union a draft enterprise agreement totally different from that discussed in the meeting.
Workers are receiving $100 per week from the union's hardship fund, as well as donations from workers at other factories and visitors to the picket. The workers are also washing cars for a $5 donation.