By James Vassilopoulos
SYDNEY — On the night of August 6, two truck drivers attempting to break the picket line at Davids' Blacktown warehouse jumped out of their truck and assaulted picketers. One discharged a fire extinguisher at the workers and another bashed a picketer with a steel bar. The police are "investigating" the matter.
In two other incidents, picketers were struck by trucks breaking the picket line.
The workers have been on strike for 5 weeks to try to stop Davids from increasing working hours from 36 to 38 per week and increasing the number of casual workers.
On July 3, 800 unionists blocked trucks from entering the Blacktown warehouse. That show of strength deterred the bosses until July 6, when 60 police escorted trucks through.
On July 3, the National Union of Workers began talking to the company again, but the negotiations stalled. The union's main demand is that all workers be allowed to return to work, including 50 who have been sacked, before negotiations for a new enterprise agreement resume. Davids is prepared to compromise on some of the working conditions it wants to eliminate, but refuses to reinstate the sacked workers.
Green Left Weekly has learned of tension between the national office of the NUW and the state branch. Greg Sword, national secretary of the NUW, refused to allow delegates to attend the negotiations with the company.
Although $20,000 has been raised for the workers, they are suffering severe hardship. Most of the money raised is being spent on petrol to get people to the picket line, and on food.
On August 8, about 200 people reinforced the Silverwater picket line in stormy weather. Trucks were blocked for most of the day, but the company was able to get trucks out at 1am, before the action began.
Donations for the picketers can be sent to 3-5 Bridge Street, Granville NSW 2142. Solidarity messages can be faxed to (02) 9897 3713. Visitors will be welcomed at the picket lines, located at 37 Bessemer Street in Blacktown or Newington Street in Silverwater.