Buildex barbeque continues campaign
Thursday June 21, 2007
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Members line up for lunch from the NUW's mobile kitchen
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NUW Organisers Andy Riley (left) and Chris Kalomiris with members at ITW Buildex
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Members at ITW Buildex met together for a barbeque at their Melbourne headquarters today (Thursday, June 21) to discuss the ongoing organising campaign at the site.
The barbeque was put on for day and afternoon shift workers, who first joined the NUW in 2005 after they faced several issues on site.
After joining the union, they successfully negotiated a Collective Agreement with the company before the Howard Government’s radical IR laws began in March 2006.
The Agreement – which covers both production and distribution staff – will remain in place until at least 2008.
The Agreement provides workers with some excellent conditions – including an annual four per cent pay rise and a nine day fortnight.
The workers at ITW Buildex make components for both the car and housing industries.
NUW Delegate Travis Clarke said that since the Collective Agreement had been negotiated, working conditions for all the employees had improved significantly.
“We’re all a lot happier,” he said.
“”Prior to the Collective Agreement, there wasn’t a lot of job security. But now, all the workers have a better idea where they stand.
“The Agreement was finalised before the Howard Government’s changes were introduced, so we now have security despite the changes to the law.
“More so, there have been very few issues on site since the workers joined the NUW.”
Organiser Andy Riley said the NUW wanted to maintain a strong presence at the site.
“Hosting a BBQ at the company is a sign to both ITW, and more importantly, the workers, that the NUW is here to stay,” Kalomiris said.
“Even though we have achieved a Collective Agreement on site, we know there is still more work to do. We want the workers to know we will be here to advance their interests for a long time to come.”
Last modified 2007-06-21 03:24 PM
