Press Release
Warehouse workers welcome warning withdrawal
Monday December 12, 2005
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NSW Branch Secretary, Derrick Belan
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Workers at a Sydney warehouse have welcomed a recommendation by the New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission (NSW IRC) that they should not receive written warnings for attending the National Day of Community Protest held on November 15 to oppose the Howard Government’s industrial relations laws.
The workers from John Danks and Son were given the warnings some two weeks after attending the National Protest that saw over 500,000 people across Australia come together against the Howard Government’s WorkChoices legislation.
The NUW sought to have the warnings removed by the NSW IRC.
At the Commission hearing, Justice Kavanagh said the company should withdraw the warnings issued to workers who attended the National Day of Protest.
John Danks and Son had argued the rally was illegal, and had sought to penalise workers who took time off work to attend. However, as a result of the hearing, company management decided to abide by the recommendation of the NSW IRC.
NUW NSW State Secretary Derrick Belan said it was a recommendation that ultimately favoured both parties.
“While the recommendation was a win for the workers, it was also a good outcome for the company, because it reduces the chances of any further tension between our members and the company.
“The recommendation also illustrates just how well the NSW Industrial Relations Commission works.
“NSW currently has an accessible, efficient, and even-handed industrial relations system. Unfortunately, it a system the Howard Government intends to abolish through the establishment of its own national system.”
Belan said he was proud that the workers at Danks and Son decided to walk with tens of thousands of other workers in Sydney on November 15.
“In a time where the Federal Government is determined to take away the rights of ordinary citizens, workers like those at Danks and Son exercised their democratic right to protest on November 15.
“I just hope that the now-removed warnings issued to our members at Danks and Son is not a sign of things to come under John Howard’s new workplace landscape.”
Last modified 2005-12-12 12:33 PM
