Press Release
New Wave Leather workers take protected industrial action
Wednesday December 14, 2005
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New Wave Leather workers are seeking a new Enterprise Agreement
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Over 40 NUW members at New Wave Leather in North Laverton began protected industrial action this morning (December 14) in pursuit of a new Certified Agreement.
With the previous Agreement expiring earlier this year, the members commenced protected action after negotiations for a new Agreement broke down.
NUW State Secretary Martin Pakula said the company was looking to remove a host of conditions currently provided to workers at the Laverton site.
“The company wants the workers to give up a raft of their current conditions. They have proposed that our members’ access to meal allowance be reduced.
“The company also wants our members to give up their rostered day off, as well as bonus schemes, which are worth up to $100 a week for particular workers.
“Further, the company wants to collapse the current work classifications to just three levels.
“The situation is worse for any new workers, with the company wanting them to start on lower pay rates than established employees. This will see workers performing the same task side by side earning different wages.”
Pakula said that despite the company’s effort to remove workers’ conditions, his members were still willing to negotiate with the company.
“The workers are prepared to look at the wage rates over the life of the Agreement if the company is prepared to increase the job security of the casual employees on site by making them permanent employees. However, our members are currently being asked to give up a lot of their conditions with little in return.”
Pakula said it was crucial his members maintained their comprehensive Agreement, given the current industrial climate.
“Our members know that the Federal Government has recently passed radical laws that provide few guarantees to workers. With the only guarantee that their conditions will be protected coming through their NUW-negotiated Agreement, our members won’t willingly give up conditions that are the mark of any fair workplace.
“It is a big decision for workers to take industrial action so soon before Christmas. However they feel this is the only option they have left if they are to protect their conditions.”
Last modified 2005-12-15 10:55 AM
