Queensland update
New members get organised and elect a new delegate at Electrolux, while at Woolworths Larapinta nominations for new delegates are under way. At Polar Fresh delegates have been working on their new log of claims and McLeod makes the news again after member, David Craig, stands up for his rights at work.
Woolworths delegate, Denis Dredge with members from the Larapinta site
When James Rodgers called the union he wanted to know how he could have a stronger voice at his workplace. The company, Electrolux, was pushing to roll over their non-union agreement. Workers wanted fair pay and conditions, union rights and respect in their workplace. Speaking with James, organiser Ian Mackay suggested that to build power and win, James would need to get all his workmates on board.
Ian went to visit the site and met the whole crew. They had already decided they wanted to join the union. After everyone signed up they voted the initial caller, James, as the delegate. Since then James and Ian have worked with members at Electrolux on their first log of claims.
"They are a rock solid crew and, united and strong, they will have the power to win and get themselves a really good agreement this time around. I really look forward to working with these guys," said organiser Ian Mackay.
Over at Larapinta, nominations for afternoon shift delegates at Woolworths have commenced. There have been many nominations for ambient, temperature control and despatch. Members at Woolworths are excited to be making their NUW delegates official, and with so many active unionists on site, the power of the workers to determine their working lives – their health and well being, their pay and conditions – has been strengthened. The union will be rolling out delegate elections for all three shifts over the following weeks.
At McLeod Accessories, NUW member David Craig worked through his 12 month level 1 probationary period, so he went to see his delegates, Mark Naggs and Chris Feldman. Since that time they have represented David in a classification dispute. The type of work David was doing meant he should have been reclassified as a level 2 store worker after his first year. While he remained on a lower classification, the company was exploiting his work at a lesser pay rate.
The company's reply, however, was that David was being paid to the correct level by the terms of the current EBA. Site organiser, Quan Chuc also supported David in his claim for a fair deal at work and now McLeods management have agreed to move David to a level 2 classification and pay him the back-pay he is owed.
Another display of strength and unity on site having a real effects on workers' lives –
congratulations to David for standing up for his rights with the backing of his delegates, a great win!
Another update this week comes from Polar Fresh in Parkinson, where delegates got together to nut out a log of claims for their upcoming collective agreement. With only four hours given to delegates by management, delegates worked hard to compile a member-driven log of claims. Mass meeting will be held this week seeking members' endorsements. With an active membership, delegates will have the strength to negotiate a fair deal for workers at Polar Fresh.
The ongoing work of active members and delegates is the day-to-day work that makes our union strong.
