United Voice News
Canberra Labor Club - act on Labor values
LHMU – The hospitality union says the Board of the Canberra Labor Club must ensure the protection of workers' jobs and working conditions is a condition of sale of the four ALP-owned clubs if the ALP is to retain its claim to being the party of working Australians.
Lyndal Ryan, ACT Branch Secretary of the LHMU says:
“The LHMU calls on the Board of the Canberra Labor Club to urgently meet with us to work through the process of ensuring all jobs, current hours, continuity and conditions of employment at the four clubs are guaranteed throughout the sale process.
"There is already an unresolved industrial issue regarding the application of the current agreement and that must also be resolved before any sale proceeds. With this issue outstanding, the Board’s position of 'you should just trust us to do the right thing' does not wash.
“The Canberra Labor Club group employs 253 workers. Many of these are employed on a casual basis. We believe the Club has a moral obligation to ensure all these workers’ jobs are safe if the Club is sold.
"At meetings yesterday Club management confirmed the sale was only weeks away on one hand, but on the other hand said it was too early to put any conditions on the sale that would protect the workers.
“The workers are acutely aware that the Club is owned by the Labor Party which prides itself on its long history as the workers’ party. In fact, the LHMU has been contacted by Labor Party members who were shocked to learn about the proposed sale from the media and who are angry about the lack of consultation, with them and with the workers. Some have even questioned the legitimacy of the Board's decision.
“We call on the Board and on the Labor Party to honour and respect that long history by ensuring the protection of workers’ jobs and working conditions is incorporated into any agreement for the sale of the Club.
“The Club President is reported to have described the Club as the most successful club chain in Canberra. As a service-based organisation, the LHMU believes that success is largely based on the commitment and hard work of its workers.
“As the workers’ representative the LHMU expects the Club to do the right thing by those workers and to consult with us throughout any sale.
“Finally, we would welcome the opportunity to talk with any prospective buyers. Our door is always open to any employer willing to develop a constructive relationship.”
