Esselte workers take their fight to the web
Friday August 17, 2007
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Nine weeks on and Esselte workers remain committed to the fight for a Collective Agreement at their Minto warehouse
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After more than nine weeks, warehouse workers from Esselte in Sydney have decided to follow John Howard’s lead and launch their own campaign on the internet site You Tube.
The NUW members have been protesting since June for the right to have a Union Collective Agreement on site.
And it’s not such a big ask. These workers have enjoyed the protection of a Union Collective Agreement at the site for years, but since the Howard Government’s introduction of WorkChoices last year, their company has decided to deny them the basic human right of collective bargaining.
Their Collective Agreement ran out mid last year, so these workers have not had a pay rise since mid 2005 and have been told by their company, they will not get one, unless they sign an AWA – an AWA that slashes their conditions and could leave them up to $50-a-week worse off.
So much for the Howard Government’s claim that workers could not be forced to sign an AWA.
Undeterred this hardy band of workers – who are not well paid, taking home around $500 per week – have decided to follow the Prime Minister’s lead and fight their campaign on You Tube.
After weeks of Esselte refusing to negotiate with the workers, they have taken their protest to the world, to let everyone know just how unfair and unjust these WorkChoices laws are.
To see just what the workers have to say and give them your support, log onto www.youtube.com/esselteworkers
Or to read more about the dispute, please click on the Press Release below.
For further information please contact:
Last modified 2007-08-17 01:46 PM
