Press Release
No end in sight to Sakata dispute
Thursday December 02, 2004
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The Sakata dispute continues
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Workers walked off the job at 4am on Monday morning and National Union of Workers Assistant State Secretary Antony Thow said they remained united despite the lengthening dispute.
Representatives from Sakata and the NUW met for a short time this morning but were unable to reach a agreement.
Thow said the NUW had instigated the meeting, however, Sakata management continued to refuse to commit to negotiate with the union regarding any of the workers’ claims.
“These workers have a right to be in the union,” Thow said. “These workers have a right to an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement. These workers have the right to be safe at work.
“That is all we are asking for but Sakata management continues to refuse all requests to negotiate and simply, we have no other choice but to continue our industrial action.
“This is the only significant food manufacturing company in Victoria who pays Award minimum rates and does not have an EBA.
“Sakata workers have run an organised and committed picket line all week despite management’s sometimes provocative and almost dangerous behaviour towards them.
“Sakata’s actions seemed to be designed to intimidate the workers – who are mainly migrant women - and precipitate an incident.
“But the workers will not be intimidated and will not back down on this important issue.”
Thow said it was frustrating that the NUW was left with little choice but to continue this action as there was no legal recourse available to the workers to force the company into negotiations.
“The Howard Government’s changes to industrial relations legislation mean neither the Industrial Relations Commission nor the Federal Court has the power to force the company into ‘good faith’ negotiations.
“Effectively the Workplace Relations Act forces major conflict between the parties before there can be any sort of resolution, but what damage is done in the meantime? It is ludicrous.”
Thow said the NUW would continue to try to negotiate with management, in the hope that the 130 or so Sakata workers could get back to work as soon as possible.
For further information please contact:
National Union of Workers
(03) 9287 1777
Last modified 2005-03-10 04:24 PM
