Picket blocks Age
MELBOURNE — A picket line imposed by the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) and the Electrical Trades Union prevented distribution of the November 23 edition of the Age.
The picket arose from a dispute around a new enterprise agreement. Issues in dispute include pay, staffing levels and the use of casual and contract labour. Management says that the new printing plant, which is under construction at Tullamarine, will require only 150 production workers compared to 300 at the current Spencer Street plant. Workers have been told they will have to re-apply for their own jobs. The unions reject this. AMWU organiser Steve Dargavel said: "you don't lose your job simply because the location changes". The Federal Court has issued an injunction against industrial action until November 29, when the case will be heard.
Protest supports employment law
MELBOURNE — The debate over the state government's proposed Fair Employment Bill was taken out of the Legislative Council and onto the steps of Parliament House on November 21. The protest was in response to a proposal from Liberal Party leader Dennis Napthine to delay passage of the bill.
Speeches from former Democrats Senator Sid Spindler, Trades Hall Council secretary Leigh Hubbard, Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia organiser Annie Delaney and FairWear coordinator Pamela Curr argued that the Fair Employment Bill would help reduce sweatshop wages and conditions imposed on out-workers.