NUW members stand their ground at Chep WA site

Police were called to Chep's Canning Vale site today after WA NUW Organiser Alex Falconer stood his ground for members today - refusing to leave the site until a conflict between members and management had been addressed.

Falconer arrived at the site this morning to stage a meeting with members who he said were "sick and tired of having no respect from managers."

Members walked off the job this morning for three hours in response to the company sacking another two NUW members at the plant. The members' dismissal followed a campaign which they launched, encouraging others to stand up to the threats, intimidation and harassment by local management. 

Members maintain the company are pushing workers to the brink in the name of productivity and this is unfeasible and unfair considering the low levels of staffing.

When workers don't meet the targets, they are sacked by management.

Chep management wouldn't meet with delegates, after police left the site, whilst Alex was present, explaining they would speak to delegates later on and that their concerns had been duly noted. 

Members remain concerned for their welfare with the knowledge other members at Chep sites in Victoria and NSW  earn a lot more doing the same job.

The concern has also been raised at the WA site that office staff receive greater benefits including generous $100 hotel Christmas party offerings, whilst the production staff merely receive a hamper and aren't invited to the Christmas party.