By Cherry Winters
MELBOURNE — Workers at the Campbellfield Nestle factory remain on the picket line after 12 weeks of being locked out. The workers belong to the confectioners division of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU).
Workers were locked out by management to force them to sign a 10-point workplace agreement which would include the abolition of shift penalties, elimination of shifts, extended shift hours and job cuts.
Apparently Nestle management rang the Department of Social Security warning it of the dispute and arguing that the workers were not on strike even before workers had knowledge of the proposed agreement. The other indication that management manufactured the dispute was the sudden increase of production five months prior to the dispute, which has enabled management to meet its orders with available stock.
To offer support or get involved, contact Chris Voogt on 019 136 539 or Carlo Frizziero (president of AMWU — confectionery division) on (03) 9230 5700.