The Guardian 14 November, 2007
Cochlear attempts
"English only" anti-union policy
Workers at the Cochlear hearing aid manufacturing factory have been threatened with the sack for speaking their native languages at work. This move by the company is a direct attempt to stifle discussion on issues such as the current union campaign to protect them from degrading AWAs.
The workers have now been threatened once again for running advertisements on Mandarin-language TV arguing for their right to be represented by a union.
At a rally last week, the Cochlear workers launched the new advertisement, to run during Chinese language news programs up until the federal election, highlighting their long-running battle for union representation in wage negotiations.
Cochlear workers have voted again and again to have the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) represent them in wage negotiations but under WorkChoices they have been given no choice.
The company, which manufactures hearing aids in its plant in the Sydney suburb of Lane Cove, is refusing to negotiate a union collective agreement and the mainly female migrant workforce have been told they must accept individual contracts.
The courageous move followed Cochlear CEO Chris Roberts’ refusal to rule out sacking workers who had raised concerns about Cochlear policy including the English-only edict.
AMWU NSW Secretary, Paul Bastian, said the attitude of Mr Roberts reflected the lack of respect the company was showing Cochlear workers.
"These workers love their jobs and are proud of the work they do — all they want is for Cochlear to respect their decision to be represented by their union", said Mr Bastian.
"On two occasions the workers have voted overwhelmingly to reject a non-union wage agreement.
"All the Cochlear workers are asking for is the right to be represented by their union in wage negotiations — a right that has been removed by the Howard Government’s WorkChoices laws.
"By telling their own story in their own language, these workers are showing tremendous courage."
The union lodged a claim with the NSW Anti Discrimination Board against the management edict that workers cannot speak languages other than English — even in bathrooms and change rooms.
"The IR laws have created a culture where employers think they can do what they want and in this case Cochlear workers are bearing the brunt of the laws."