United Voice News
Fighting for a five-star future
Members at one of Melbourne’s most prestigious hotels are joining together to win better jobs.
The unity and enthusiasm for a new, fairer agreement has delighted the Langham’s doorman of 13 years Laurie Bellizzi.
‘We have so many members now. Before, that was unheard of. The last six months was incredible, we have new members from all different departments. We have done this with a lot of explaining.’
Laurie said many workers were scared to stand up for their rights, but the new unity is making people more confident.
‘That tells me that we have had enough. We are now telling the management what we want, a raise, respect and fairness.’
Laurie said members want to sit down with management to talk about decent pay and better rostering.
‘I believe that we as members and employees of the hotel should be respected, we should be looked after. Without the employees it wouldn’t have been as successful as the last five years. They made a hefty profit and it would be nice of them to say, without you we could not have achieved that.’
Laurie is confident that the increasing strength and determination of members means they now have power to win better wages and conditions.
