Macquarie workers strike for equal pay
By Lachlan Malloch
SYDNEY — Food and beverage workers at Macquarie University Union voted unanimously to strike on the afternoon of September 8. They were demanding an end to inequality.
Presently, union workers are covered by several awards. The food and beverage workers are covered by the canteen award, whereas their co-workers such as cleaners, are under the superior clubs award.
For years management has been resisting calls by the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union, which represents the food and beverage workers, to upgrade the award to ensure that workers receive equal pay for equal work.
Union workers at Sydney University and NSW University work under the club award.
As well, workers on the canteen award are paid very low rates, with full-time staff receiving less than $10 per hour.
After management learned of the workers' decision to strike, it began organising scab labour from among its own ranks to carry out such unfamiliar tasks such as serving coffee in the cafeteria.
On September 9, workers voted to return to work pending the result of an Industrial Relations Commission hearing set for that afternoon. As a result of the strike action, management has agreed to negotiate; a resolution is expected by September 15.
Union workers told Green Left that support from students had been good, despite the fact that workers had to rely largely on word of mouth to explain the issues behind the strike.
One worker was excited about the prospect of winning a better award as a result of taking industrial action. She told Green Left, "This is the first time in my life I've been on strike. It's basically about equality, so there's nothing wrong with that".