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Union in Australia takes on international integrator over anti-union contract
30 August 2007
Workers in Australia are up in arms over plans by their employer, one of the “big four” logistics firms, to introduce a new inferior non-union contract.
The workers, members of the ITF-affiliated Australian Services Union (ASU), received details this week from their employer, TNT Shared Services Pty Limited, of plans to introduce a new contract to replace a union-backed agreement, which expired recently. Head office workers, such as receptionists and administration workers will be affected by the contract.
The union claims that the new contract, which the company is attempting to force through without union consultation, introduces a number of adjustments to their working conditions. These include an increase in hours without any significant wage rise and the removal of the right to some public holidays. The company is asking workers to vote on the agreement on Monday.
In line with current government legislation, brought in by the anti-union Howard regime, the union has logged its claims; these have been presented to the company and registered with the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.
To date, workers have organised a petition urging the company to negotiate the terms of the contract with the union. More than 75 per cent of affected employees have signed it. However, the company remains intransigent.
The union is now lobbying for a “no vote”. Jo Justo, ASU National Industrial Officer, explained: “The ASU is conducting a ‘vote no’ campaign in an effort to have the agreement voted down in order to negotiate a fair and reasonable agreement that is collective and union.”
The union has enlisted the support of the ITF-affiliated Transport Workers’ Union of Australia (TWU), which represents workers at another TNT operation in Australia. It is also hoping that other TNT unions around the world will lobby the company on the issue.
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