Brambles breaks guarantee
By Sarah Harris
SYDNEY — Casual workers employed by the security firm Brambles have been threatened with the sack and workers at the Beaconsfield, Smithfield and Lane Cove depots have gone on strike in protest.
A worker and Transport Workers Union (TWU) member from the Beaconsfield depot told Green Left Weekly that Brambles had verbally guaranteed a pool of casual workers ongoing work. He said Brambles is using the excuse that the company has lost contracts with two banks.
Brambles workers are usually taken on as casuals, then given part-time work and eventually become full-time permanents.
About three years ago, TWU members at Brambles struck for 10 days when a security worker, Rob Jones, was killed in an armed holdup. The unionists demanded that extra workers be hired in dangerous jobs. The demand was eventually met.
Contact TWU organiser Andrew Wale on 9912 0700 for more information.