Press Release
CSL workers protest over wage offer
Thursday August 10, 2006
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NUW members were part of the hundreds of CSL workers to protest over negotiations for a new Agreement
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Around 600 CSL workers at the company’s headquarters in Parkville held a protest lunch inside their workplace today (Thursday, August 10).
The protest was in response to CSL’s continued refusal to grant employees a real wage increase as part of negotiations for a new union Agreement.
CSL is also seeking to remove other conditions – including reserving the right to unilaterally terminate the eventual Agreement – as a result of the Howard Government’s extreme IR laws.
CSL’s attempt to remove conditions comes despite the company’s excellent financial performance.
Earlier this year, the Managing Director / CEO of CSL, Dr. Brian McNamee, told the CSL Group Magazine, Pulse, that CSL “is in very good shape and…in a strong position”. He also thanked employees for their efforts in creating “a strong company that will continue to grow”.
CSL announced a half year profit of $176 million earlier this year; a 34 per cent increase on the previous half year result. At the same time, CSL also revised upwards its profit expectations for the 2005-6 financial year.
Victorian State Secretary Antony Thow said it was disappointing that CSL has so far been unwilling to reward the hard work of its employees.
“Our members have been absolutely critical to the increased earnings of CSL in recent times; a point made by the CEO himself earlier this year. And yet, what reward will CSL provide them for this hard work?
“This is a major Australian company that appears to have embraced the Howard Government’s radical IR laws, when there is simply no financial reason to do so.
“The Agreement was supposed to begin in May, and we are already into August. All the while the cost of living continues to go up, making it very difficult for CSL employees and their families.
“We call on CSL not to embrace the Howard Government’s extreme laws and to reward its employees for the good financial position the company holds.”
Last modified 2008-12-09 03:48 PM
