United Voice News
Victorian members win $40,000 in back-pay
Mohammed Nahian works very hard to support his family. He works seven days a week at two cleaning jobs.
Earlier this year he discovered that both of his employers had underpaid him. Prime Cleaning owed him $5,100 and Capital Property Services owed him $12,500 for shift and weekend penalties.
But when he confronted them, both refused to pay him what he was owed.
Feeling hopeless, Mohammed called our Union Rights Centre for help.
“The URC was like a brother on my side. Their hard work, their helping attitude: they did their best,” said Mohammed.
“Even though I was right, since I was alone, I couldn’t fight with these companies and the URC helped me win my due right.”
Mohammed won back everything he was owed: a total of $17,600. That money helped him pay off a bank loan – and restore his spirits.
“My joy knows no bounds when I come to know I won the case … and I got my hard-earned money back.”
Mohammed also learned some valuable lessons.
“There is a silver lining. We should not give up fighting for our rights. And there are people out there who are on your side.”
Meanwhile three security members who were not paid shift penalties by their employer together won over $22,000 in back-pay.
One of the guards, who cannot be named because of a confidentiality agreement, said he was delighted to have finally got his money.
“It was really fantastic actually. It just shows these companies shouldn’t have taken advantage of us.”
The three members contacted our URC after the company had rejected their claims.
The URC took up their cases. And, after many months of patience and resolve from these members, they won their money back.
“I’ve got a mortgage, car insurance, registration, and Christmas is coming up, the money couldn’t have come at a better time,” the member said.
“I never thought we would have got it, to tell you the truth. We’ve got it now, and I’m rapt.”
Got a workplace issue or question?
Call the Union Rights Centre
Phone 9235 7777
Toll free 1800 819 087
Email urcvic@lhmu.org.au
