Geelong workers locked out

by Miranda Campbell

Workers at Geelong Wool Combing arrived at work on April 28 to find that 
they were locked out. The company has told the workers the lockout will be 
in place for at least a month.

The workers, who are all members of the Textile, Clothing and Footwear 
Union (TCFU),have been in battle with management at the company over 
management's plans to cut wages by 25 per cent. The union and its members 
have refused to support the plan.

State Secretary of the TCFU, Michelle O'Neill in a media statement said, 
"Despite the drastic proposal, to date the union members on site have not 
taken any industrial action. We have been negotiating with the company in 
good faith, and this is the disgraceful treatment workers get in return."

Many of the locked out workers come from single income families. The 
company 's actions will only bring undue hardship onto the families and the 
Geelong community in general.

It is a deliberate attempt by the Geelong Wool to break the spirit of the 
workers and make them capitulate to the company's demands. The company 
already had the workers under surveillance for some time.

The lockout was not necessary, the company had called on workers to work 
over time just the day before the lock out!

"By taking such action dramatic action Geelong Wool Combing has added more 
uncertainty to an industry already experiencing instability. This lock out 
will only hinder this company's chances of a swift and peaceful settlement, 
which is what they claim they want.

"If this company thinks it can starve the workers and their families into 
losing pay and conditions, they have made a huge corporate mistake", Ms O' 
Neill said.

To support the workers at Geelong Wool Combing contact Jenny Kruschel on 
0419 337 137 or the union on Ph: (03) 9347 3377 or email: info@tcfvic.org.au.