Update: 25 February 2011
The National Union of Workers has once again returned to Patties in 2011, and the first few weeks back have been very productive.
In early February the NUW sat down with People and Organisation Director Jeff Pentney (Patties H/R). The approaching expiry of the current Enterprise Agreement, the upcoming negotiations, as well as training for the 5 recently elected NUW Delegates were some of the issues discussed at this meeting.
The 5 NUW Delegates have since been formally introduced to Jeff Pentney, Grant Leyden and Sam Johansen, and look forward to representing their fellow members on site. The role of the delegates will become increasingly important as we move to renegotiate the current Agreement. We expect Patties to kick off this process in March/April 2011.
The bargaining process is an excellent opportunity for the workers at Patties to have a real say in their workplace. In order to ensure we represent the wishes of as many Patties workers as possible, to clear up any confusion surrounding the Agreement process, and to discuss the recently announced automation of the plant, we have been visiting workers at their homes. During these visits we have asked workers for their thoughts on their workplace, and their employment conditions. As a result, many workers were happy to complete a workplace survey, and to join the NUW.
Despite there being some confusion on site, it is important for NUW members (and for that matter all Patties employees) to know that home visits are a legitimate way for the Union to communicate with workers…some of whom have felt uncomfortable speaking with us on site.
If you would like to arrange a home visit, please contact one of your on site NUW Delegates, or one of the NUW Organisers listed below:
Chris Kalomiris: 0407 811 431
Steve Kelly: 0425 725 597
Kathryn Hilt: 0417 438 118
Dominic Melling: 0404 263 851
Robbie Dent 0438 559 751
