Members Unite for Airport Stop-Work Action
NUW members in both Melbourne and Brisbane began stop-work action today against F1RST DUTY FREE, on a quest for decent pay rates and an end to harrassment.
Members and Officials in Melbourne
NUW Members at F1rst Duty Free began stop work action today at both Melbourne and Brisbane Airports. The protests were peaceful, with members united in the IR cause for fair wages and an end to the aggressive management culture .
Industrial action in Brisbane commenced at 7am this morning and will run for 24 hours whilst the stoppage at Melbourne ran from 5am-9am and will continue again this evening from 6pm-10pm.
Members and Officials demonstrated by handing out stickers and flyers to travellers and passers-by with the slogan F1RST Duty Free puts Workers Last. These were stuck on NUW t-shirts & clothing, demonstrating member solidarity. Once passengers were aware of the F1rst workers plight, they wore these stickers through the departure stores to send a message to management; some of whom were bleary eyed and manning the registers from 5am.
Organiser Cameron Stops said "If only the resources that have been put towards trying to break this strike were put towards fixing the issues that remain at the heart of this industrial dispute." Management will have earned their rest at the Hilton hotel before their next shift tonight. Members were appreciative of the support that was received from Officials of the LHMU who dropped in this morning to meet striking workers.
In Brisbane, officials and members made their presence felt and received support from Service and Food Workers' Union Organiser Jaquie Hurst who assisted the cause by also handing out flyers and stickers before boarding her flight to New Zealand.
The Union thanks members for rallying together and demonstrating that mangement's behaviour and poor pay offer won't be tolerated.
