The 49 locked out workers from Eliott group's MEC Engineering continue to maintain a six-month "protest embassy" to fight for their jobs and entitlements back.
MEC locked out workers on September 13, 2006 in response to a campaign of minor industrial action such as banning overtime. The workers voted for this action to oppose MEC's push for a new enterprise agreement that would take away a number of important conditions from workers, including salary continuance or income protection.

Eliott group appointed an administrator who threatened to take the assets from the shelf company which was the legal employer of the workers. The administrator offered individual workers Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs), without the full details of their content. When the workers refused to sign, Eliott declared the workers "self-terminated" and began prodeedings.

MEC is asking workers to rejoin the company on AWAs that will be far below their previous conditions. Entitlements being offered to terminated workers do not even match what they were entitled to under their old agreement, and the AMWU is planning a legal challenge to this. (Even the government watchdog is investigating the maze of shelf companies set up by Eliott Engineering in case there's something legally dodgy as well).

While management have attempted to recruit scabs during the lockout, using various names, this has generally been quite unsuccessful, as other workers in the area support the struggle. However, some scabs still cross the line and on a number of occasions recently have come close to injuring protesters while driving through the protest. Supporters are encouraged to visit, donate to the workers' funds, and show their support at the Yallourn power station, off Old Yallourn North Rd (follow the signs to MEC).

more info: Yallourn Workshop Embassy News | Donation Request Form | Media Release | http://gippslandtlc.com.au/

Rally against Origin Energy and Woodside's - Port Shambles!!!
11.30am Friday
23 Feburary
Origin Energy
360 Elizabeth St
Melbourne

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Armed with John Howard’s new anti-worker and anti-union IR legislation, Woodside - a multinational company that reported $1,107.4 million profit last year - has done the dirty on workers at its Port Campbell gas plant. They may claim the hiring and firing is done by sub-contractors but the evidence is clear - they are a ruthless anti-union and anti-safety company.

Union members and OH&S reps have been sacked. Work has been given to non-union companies which has resulted in terrible safety standards.

• Workers can be told when to take an RDO
• Workers can be told to work on a public holiday
• Licence allowance - SCRAPPED
• No regular weekly safety meetings with employees
• Correct classifications - SCRAPPED
• Living away from home allowance (LAHA) is compromised
• Issues with severance payments
• No lockdown weekends

Background: Assembles & issues at Port Campbellport-shambles-flyerW.pdf

Labels: Community Protest, Port Campbell