United Voice News
In this issue:
1. Striking paint members win big
3. Sacked member gets job back
Dear member,
Welcome to the first edition of LHMU manufacturing e-news.
We hear a lot about the economy getting worse and bosses slashing jobs and freezing wages.
But LHMU manufacturing members are refusing to feel defeated.
Instead, we’re showing that if we stick together most workers can get through this difficult period with our jobs and wages intact.
Members at paint manufacturer Akzo Nobel were told to cop a wage freeze or ten percent of the workforce would be sacked.
But these LHMU members refused to be bullied.
They were determined to make their jobs more secure with better redundancy pay.
Their unity and resolve grew stronger with every day, and members voted to take strike action.
Finally, after two weeks on strike, the company buckled. These members won huge improvements in redundancy pay, with the maximum payout going from 16 to 95 weeks.
The threat of sackings has now been withdrawn.
Likewise, members at plasterboard manufacturer Lafarge stood together and saved the jobs of four members that the company wanted to cut.
What this shows is that sticking together in our union is more important than ever.
We all know that these are tough economic times.
Our unity gives us the strength to keep any jobs cuts to a minimum and make sure wages remain as high as possible.
I hope you enjoy reading our manufacturing e-news — and find these stories of LHMU members’ courage and solidarity inspiring.
Jess Walsh
Secretary,
LHMU Victoria
1. Striking paint members win big
Members at Sunshine paint manufacturer Akzo Nobel have won major increases in redundancy pay after a two-week strike.
One hundred members took strike action after management threatened to sack workers if they pushed for fair pay rises.
Lead delegate Ian Bell said the worsening economy and threats of sackings meant better redundancy pay was crucial.
Members won an increase from the Award’s 16 weeks to up to 95 weeks in their new union collective agreement. They will also now get eight weeks notice if made redundant.
‘We were going to have 10 redundancies. But because of our new EBA, that’s off the table.’
Members also won fair pay rises and held on to other key conditions under attack, including their 35-hour week.
‘The company went for us on that. They put it up and we just said no.
There was no option on that.’
Strong membership and steely determination were their keys to victory.
‘The guys were that strong they felt they could stay out even longer,’ Ian said.
‘The company couldn’t keep it up. They realised how strong we were.’
Ian said returning to the picket line where all the members were waiting to hear about the deal was a great moment.
‘We got out of the car and we got a standing ovation. It’s a good feeling when you do right by your members and get a good result.’
2. Laundry members clean up
Members at Northcote’s Spotless Ensign commercial laundries stuck together to win solid pay rises and over $1000 in back pay in their new agreement.
Delegate Andrew Freeman said it was a year long battle to win the agreement.
‘Everyone’s relieved. Obviously we’ve been waiting for a long time,’ Andrew said.
‘I think we did alright. We didn’t have to give up anything to get the pay rise.’
Strong union membership was the key to winning this agreement, which includes 10 months in back pay.
‘There’s no way the members would have accepted the agreement without that back pay,’ Andrew said.
‘Achieving this and the other struggles we have relies on a large majority membership to win.’
3. Member wins job back
Jotun paint member Damien Mackin lost his job for slamming a door after being called in to a meeting by his boss.
Damien’s boss told him to apologise or be sacked.
Damien felt it wasn’t right being spoken to like that. He refused to apologise.
‘It wasn’t very nice at the time. I slammed the door because of how he spoke to me.’
He called the LHMU Union Rights Centre straight away for help.
With two children to feed and a mortgage, Damien needed his job back as soon as possible.
‘It was very hard. There were no payments from Centrelink or anything.’
After three weeks of negotiations with management Damien won his job back.
‘I’m happy,’ Damien said.
