BY BEN COURTICE
MELBOURNE — Workers at the Brownbuilt furniture factory in Huntingdale are entering their sixth week of being locked out by their employers.
The workers, members of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, imposed minor work bans in pursuit of the union's Campaign 2000 claim for a 15% pay rise over 33 months. Not only did management refuse, but it served them with a six-month lockout notice.
Brownbuilt workers have maintained a visible picket line and some support actions have taken place at other factories owned by the same company. The factory's production has been taken over by Brownbuilt factories interstate, primarily in Sydney and Adelaide, which have been transporting furniture into Melbourne.
The AMWU's hardship fund has been exhausted and, apart from donations from supporters, the workers have not been paid since they were locked out. Supporters are encouraged to visit the picket line, in Huntingdale Road South.
Donations can be made at the picket line, or to the Metalworkers Division, AMWU, 440 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne 3000.