Textile workers force company to talk
By Susan Price and Chris Slee
MELBOURNE<196> After 50 days of being locked out, members of the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union (TCFUA) at the Australian Dyeing Company (ADC) have won a couple of victories in their struggle.
A court injunction was issued on January 20 to prevent ADC from closing its operations and sacking its workers. Workers scored another victory when ADC made an unsuccessful attempt to persuade the Industrial Relations Commission to terminate the bargaining period for an enterprise agreement.
ADC's lawyer (who is also Peter Reith's personal lawyer) argued that this was necessary due to allegations by security guards that they had been "assaulted" on the picket line. The company also attempted to imply that there was union involvement in a hydrogen peroxide leak at the factory.
The company was unable to produce anybody who had been assaulted. The $100,000 worth of surveillance cameras installed around the factory at the start of the dispute also failed to record any acts of sabotage. The company's application was adjourned and ADC forced to return to the negotiating table.
Morale at the "peaceful assembly" continues to be high, with workers from other unions and community supporters demonstrating their solidarity each morning from 6am to 8am, and each afternoon from 5pm to 7pm. The Victorian Trades Hall Council has established a roster of unions to staff the picket each day.
The company has made no attempt to use scabs since January 13. TCFUA assistant secretary Michelle O'Neil told 200 supporters on January 22 that continuation of the picket line is crucial in deterring the company from resuming the use of scabs.
International visitors to the picket have included Edwin Gozal from the People's Democratic Party in Indonesia and Reihana Mohideen from the Philippines.
Supporters are encouraged to continue turning up to the picket line at 6am and 5pm each day. Early morning picketers will be treated to breakfast by the Food Not Scabs collective.