Community Assembly
@ Phonetec
8.45am Tues
January 2, 2007
370 Whitehorse Rd
Nunawading. (near corner of Springvale Rd)

In a disappointing development Garry Chan, manager of Phonetec, has backed out of a deal to reinstate sacked worker Maggi Li. On Friday December 22 Garry Chan agreed to reinstate Maggi and the union (CEPU) agreed to work constructively with Phonetec to resolve issues around training. Chan initially backed down after a community assembly forced him into negotiations with ACTU president Sharon Barrow and the CEPU.

It now appears that with the pressure off Phonetec, management feel they have a free hand with their workforce. Some people could come to the conclusion that Phonetec is planning to put all their employees on Australian Workplace Agreements. Getting rid of union members who stand up for their rights would be the first step.

Please come and support this assembly, on the 22 Dec [2006] we forced Phonetec to back down, we can do it again.

Labels: Community Assemblies, Phonetec

A community assembly successfully won a workers job back at today (Fri 22 Dec) at the Phonetec repair centre in Nunawading. Maggi Li who has worked for the company for 6 years was sacked last night. She didn’t even have time to say goodbye to her fellow workers. We believe she was sacked because she resisted a proposed pay cut.

The assembly got underway a 9am and was disbanded at around 2pm, after management agreed to reinstate Maggi. ACTU president Sharron Barrow addressed the assembly and together with a CEPU official entered into discussion with Garry Chan manager of PhoneTec.

Garry Chan agreed to reinstate Maggi and the union agreed to work constructively with the PhoneTec to resolve issues around training. This is a fantastic development given that Mr Chan had previously boosted that Howard’s new IR law gave him the power to sack any worker without due process.

Labels: Community Assemblies, Phonetec

Community Assembly
Phonetec
9am Friday
22 December
370 Whitehorse Rd
Nunawading. (near corner of Springvale Rd)

On the eve of Christmas telecommunication company Phonetec has sacked a worker with 6 years service unfairly. The worker was given written notice today (Thurs 21 Dec) and told not to turn up tomorrow. Please show your support and attend the community assembly. A media conference will get underway from 10am. Workers in the telecommunications industry especially those in small and medium companies need our solidarity.

Labels: Community Assemblies, Phonetec

12 noon Wednesday
December 20
Queensland Travel centre
405 Bourke St
Melbourne

• Justice for Mulrinji!
• Sack racist DPP!
• NO more Cover-ups!

A coalition of community groups and individuals is organising a solidarity demonstration with the Palm Island community to protest the blatantly racist decision by the Queensland Director of Public Prosecutions not to charge Senior Sergeant Hurley for murdering Mulrunji an innocent indigenous man whilst in police custody.

Labels: Community Protest

As in previous years, the FairWear anti-sweatshop campaign took its Christmas sweat-free carols to town, visiting this year fashion retailer Rich, one of far too many who have so far refused to sign up to the Homeworkers Code of Practice.

After a quick rehearsal in the Mall, the 'choir' made its way into the up-market shopping mall that has replaced the old Post Office in Melbourne's landmark GPO building and lined up in front of the fashion display for a rendering of modified version of three well-known carols, Jingle Bells, God Rest Ye Weary Laborers and the Twelve Days of Sweat Shopping.

The performance was then repeated on the steps outside, much to the fascination of the crowds waiting to view the Myer windows.

After the performance, members of the 'choir' handed out useful wallet-sized cards listing companies certified to use the NoSweatshop label on their Australian Made clothing. Visit the website for details:

more info: www.fairwear.org.au | fairwear@fairwear.org.au | 9251 5270

Labels: Community Protest, FairWear

About one hundred union and community activists, from Portland, Geelong, Warrnambool and Melbourne successfully stopped construction work at the Woodside Gas Plant in Port Campbell yesterday (Wed 13 Dec). The action was in response to a continuing campaign by management and sub-contractors at the plant of reducing working conditions and undermining of union activity.

Recent developments has seen workers being obliged to work six to seven days a week on 12 hour shifts, mass sackings of trade union members, intimidation of an Occupation Health and Safety delegate and workers being informed that if they take an agreed industry holiday they will be viewed as “abandoning their employment”.

A community assembly covering three gates was established by 5am well before the scheduled starting time. The action took management totally by surprise and there was no organised attempt to break the line. Construction workers listened to speeches and indicated their desire to take the industry holiday break rather than being forced back to work shortly after New Years Day.

One worker expressed thanks, the day off gave him a chance to send some quality time with his family and attend his daughter school sports day. Again the community have stood up and taken action to protect decent working conditions. Wednesday’s action was the third community assembly at plant since October 2006.

Background: October 20 Assembly | November 10 Assembly

Labels: Community Assemblies, Port Campbell

1pm Tuesday
19 December
GPO Building
Burke St Mall
City (Melbourne).

Church, community and union groups from across the denominations have been supportive of the FairWear campaign over many years.

We plan to sing a few songs at a fashion shop that has been ‘more naughty than nice’ in relation to homeworkers. Our songs will be:

• The Twelve Days of Sweat Shopping;
• God Rest Ye Weary Labourers; and,
• Jingle Bells (with a twist).

We would like to know if you could come along. The Carols will take less than one hour to do.

more info: antony.mcmullen@vic.uca.org.au

Labels: Community Protest, FairWear