ASU rallies against unfair enterprise agreement in Melbourne

October 12, 2016
Issue 
ASU members march through the streets of Melbourne. Photo: Alex Bainbridge

Hundreds of Australian Services Union members marched through the streets of Melbourne on October 12 as part of a long running campaign against an unfair enterprise agreement at the City of Melbourne.

An earlier version of a proposed enterprise agreement was previously voted down by workers and ASU organiser Ty Lockwood said the second version of the proposed agreement was also a "number two".

"It's worse than the first one," Lockwood said. "So what we're going to do: we're going to knock it down again."

Workers marched down Swantson Street and blocked the Flinders Street intersection outside the train station. They vowed to return as often as required to win a decent agreement.

Former federal parliamentarian and current candidate for Melbourne Lord Mayor, Phil Cleary, addressed the crowd with a passionate speech.

"You've got to fight the bosses and these ruthless employers," he told the crowd.

He especially drew attention to an employer proposal to strip domestic violence leave in exchange for a pay rise which he described as disgraceful.

The Trade Union Choir also sang. The rally was supported by Victorian Trades Hall Council.

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