Members of the AMWU at the Colrain centre in Derrimut, have been on strike since Thursday (8 December), in support of a worker who was stood down without pay for refusing to break a protected union ban in support of an EBA (Enterprise Bargaining Agreement). Many of the 18 AMWU members involved are new to the union and this is their first taste of industrial action. The company, which is receiving a growing reputation for breaking down working conditions, is refusing to negotiate with the union and trying to place workers onto AWA (individual contracts).

Management spent 6 hours in the arbitration commission arguing for a section 127 (suspending the unions bargaining period and making strike action illegal), thankfully the commission rejected the argument.

Maxitrans, the parent company of Colrain, recently announced a record profit casting suspicions that the dispute is driven by an ideological agenda.

On a positive note the workers are standing up to the company and nothing is currently going in or out of the dispatch centre, which is crucial for Maxitrans operations. Supporters are spending time on the picket and Colrain strikers have received strong support form refinery workers at the near by Altona Complex, construction workers from power station under construction have also been visiting the picket. A report back of the dispute was given to the mass delegates meeting at Trades Hall yesterday (Tues 12 December).

Colrain Dispute:
137 Swann Drive, Derrimut (near Laverton)
Melways reference 39, G6.

More Info:
0425 796 167
fergieeiffe@hotmail.com

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Labels: Colrain, strikes