ARISTOCRAT TECHS BUILD UNION TO
WIN FAIR EBA
Aristocrat delegates are building an EBA log of claims after surveying ETU members and non-members in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT.
LOCKOUT FALLS TO STOP EBA CAMPAIGN Workers at coffee manufacturer Freshfood Services continue their industrial campaign for a fair EBA after being twice locked out by the company in June and July. More than 100 UWU, AMWU and ETU members were locked out over a weekend and then soon after for several days in aggressive employer action. In between the lockouts, workers took a snap 24-hour strike – an action they could legally apply because the company lockouts came without notice. ETU organiser Prameesh Chandra said workers had placed overtime and other bans after Freshfood Services refused to offer a decent pay rise and restore leave rights.
‘The lockout was an own goal from management because it made workers even more united determined to defend pay and conditions.’ Freshfood Services makes coffee brands including Robert Timms and Bushells.
The ETU team with organiser Prameesh Chandra will table the union list of demands after further consultation with around 200 technicians at the gaming machine company. A wage rise to keep pace with inflation and increased superannuation will be high on the agenda. Employersupplied PPE, weekend allowance and backpay are other key claims.
ORGANISER PRAMEESH CHANDRA WITH DELEGATE STEVE ARGYOS.
‘We need to boost union density and activism at Aristocrat to lay the foundations for a strong campaign that delivers a decent agreement,’ said Prameesh. This will be the first EBA covering all technicians employed by the company across states and territories.
SOLAR SURGE
ETU members at Wagga South Solar Farm elected a delegate and two Health & Safety Reps during a visit by organiser Mitch Johnston. The ETU continues our campaign for a safe renewables industry that employs licensed electrical workers and meets industry standards.
WINTER 2022
/
11
