INDUSTRIAL
Michaelia’s Mob Morrison government backing company anti-union push
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personally feel the government has given these multinationals the hurry up,” says tug delegate Bill Smith, Svitzer tugs. “Companies are lining up thinking this is our last chance to have a crack at the trade union movement before there’s a change of government. Even during the union negotiations at Fair Work, (The Minister for Industrial Relations Senator) Michaelia Cash had someone sitting in.” Svitzer, Newcastle. Svitzer, like Patrick, applied to Fair Work to cancel the union agreement during enterprise agreement negotiations and drop its workforce back on the award. (See opposite) A lot of other companies are waiting to see what happens. “If it works for the company the others will jump that’s for sure,” he says. A deckhand, Bill helps bring the bulk coal carriers, tankers and wheat ships safely into the harbour. “The port wouldn’t operate without the tugs,” he says. “We were out there all the way through CFMMEU national Secretary Covid. The port’s been humming along. Never Christy Cain addresses the Melbourne rally in support of missed a beat. We gave up a pay increase we were Svitzer workers in March entitled to because we wanted the company to see it through. Then we find out all the time they were raking in billions.” Bill says the workers know the company needs to be making money so everyone keeps their jobs. “But they are making more and more and still want to strip away our conditions,” he says. Negotiations dragged on for some time – all on zoom, nothing face to face. “I’m hearing the company are still playing hard ball. They want to take 50% of my wages from me BILL SMITH and all the time they’ve been making money hand over fist.” Bill says workers had not even discussed a pay rise; it was all just about trying to keep what they only offering 12 months contracts for new recruits. have. “We’re hoping the company will come to its senses,” “I’m happy with what I’m earning,” he said. “I could he says. “But I can’t see it happening with the current live with just a CPI increase. We are more worried about management. It’s going to have to come from secure work. Jobs for the future. At the moment that looks Copenhagen. Svitzer is going against Maersk core values. very shaky. There’s lots of nervous people about. Once They are supposed to respect workers but they are you’d go to work and it was a pleasure. Now every day is treating people like shit.” a battle. Not a day goes by my phone doesn’t ring as the He thanked the union for all their efforts so far. delegate. Something’s happened.” “Our officials have the full support of the members,” he There is no job security. Bill says a half dozen guys are added. “We appreciation their efforts so far in this fight about to retire from permanent jobs, but the company is for our jobs.” •
“They want to take 50% of my wages from me and all the time they’ve been making money hand over fist.”
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