United Voice News
In this issue:
1. Rock solid-arity delivers big win at Crown
2. Airport victory on pay and job security
3. Working together to protect industry standards
Dear member,
Last year was a huge year for LHMU security members.
By campaigning together we are now more than $2000 a year better off than guards without a union agreement.
Guards’ skills and commitment are finally being valued.
Members’ campaign for higher standards is firing up guards across our industry.
Members working at Melbourne and Avalon airports showed MSS they were willing to strike to maintain high security standards in aviation.
They killed off a threat to job security and won a solid pay rise, just in time for the holiday season.
Members at Crown stood together and also won a new union agreement.
Their agreement not only delivers better pay but also sets some new benchmarks for our industry, such as casual conversion.
Voting to endorse both these agreements starts next week — vote 'yes' to lock in strong pay and conditions.
Our Victorian Security Delegates Council is meeting soon to make sure 2010 is even bigger.
They will plan out how we can win more respect and recognition for our industry and build strength at every site.
Step by step we are winning an industry we can all be proud of.
In unity,
Jess Walsh
Secretary,
LHMU Victoria
Rock solid-arity delivers big win at Crown
Members at Crown Casino proved once again, when guards stand together they are unbreakable.
Security at Melbourne’s Crown Casino is split in two. In house guards patrol the gaming floor, while those with contractor MSS secure the rest of Crown.
Normally it isn’t an issue. But all hell broke loose when MSS, during negotiations on a new union agreement, tried to remove a clause preventing its guards working on the gaming floor.
MSS delegate Joey Sciberras, a Crown veteran of over a decade, believes it would have put Crown and MSS members in conflict with each other.
“It would have taken away overtime for Crown security. And we wouldn’t have had as many experienced MSS guards where we need them.”
But MSS were no match for their 98% unionised site.
At a mass meeting 80 MSS and Crown members stood side by side, sending a strong message of solidarity. Overwhelming support by MSS members for industrial action also helped ramp up the pressure.
Eventually, management backed down.
“These are two huge companies, but we won that battle and that shows we won’t be pushed or bullied by anyone,” said Jess Walsh, LHMU Victorian Secretary.
Their new union agreement also sets new industry benchmarks in job security and casual conversion. And they won a 14% pay rise over three years.
Joey believes the key to their success was their collective strength.
“Ultimately they underestimated how strong we were on site and when push came to shove, they didn’t want to take their chances.”
Airport victory on pay and job security
MSS Security members at Melbourne and Avalon airports have emerged victorious after a major battle with their employer.
Members won a 13.5 percent pay increase over three years. They also won improved sick leave provisions, an easier process for taking annual leave and major increases in the laundry allowance.
“It’s a great win for everybody. We showed we’re not going to let MSS divide us,” Delegate Angelo Tsironis, who works at Melbourne Airport.
“It was a fantastic effort by members and delegates. They stood strong and refused to buckle,” said Jess Walsh, LHMU Victorian Secretary.
Members also blocked a move to create ‘part-time casuals’, fearing it would undermine job security and drive out experienced screeners, threatening airport safety standards.
“We were very against it because casuals would have lost at least a $200 a fortnight. It would also affect the full-timers’ overtime,” said Angelo.
A ballot revealed 96 percent support for strike action. Members also took their concerns directly to the public, speaking out in the media.
“They buckled due to the huge ballot vote. They were shocked — especially with so many new staff members — they didn’t expect us to be so united,” Angelo said.
Working together to protect industry standards
Patrick Mullen is a delegate and Wilson guard at National Gallery of Victoria.
He is also one of several member organisers who worked at the union office in November and December, helping MSS members win at the casino and airports.
Patrick stepped up because he believes members need to work together to lift up their industry.
“It’s important that we keep a high standard across the industry. If MSS had got away with that other companies would try to implement it,” Patrick said.
“Under their proposal we would have to ring up on a Friday to find out when we were working next week. We couldn’t make any plans for our lives.”
“Over a period of time it may have meant the elimination of full time jobs and job security.”
