Taubman paint workers hit with injunctions
Paint workers employed by South African multinational Taubmans have been on strike for more than six weeks in an attempt to get the company to pay all their employees equally — whether they live in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. They are fighting for: * Protection of their entitlements. * Wage justice for Barloworld (Taubmans) workers in Sydney who are paid on average $51 per week less than their equivalent workers in Melbourne and Brisbane. * A fair wage increase. "Our 122 members at Taubmans in Villawood, Sydney, are seeking pay rates equivalent to what the company pays in Queensland and Victoria", said Annie Owens, secretary, NSW Branch LHMU. "At the moment Sydney wages are on average $51 a week less than those paid to workers in other cities." The company's application to terminate the bargaining period is due in the AIRC on October 17, 18 and 19. "Taubmans is now owned by a South African company, Barloworlds", said Ms Owens. "The industrial action at the Taubmans site has been going on and on because of the breakdown of negotiations in relation to a new enterprise bargaining agreement. "Our members are demanding the company sit down to open and fair negotiations over pay and the protection of workers' entitlements. Three times — usually in the middle of the night — the company has secreted out millions of gallons of paint. "The company has eagerly used the anti-worker laws of the Howard Government. Injunctions have been granted against the union and its members. "They want to constrain and demoralise LHMU Paint Union members. "Our union members, however, are strong and resolved, they have maintained a lengthy and disciplined peaceful picket, and kept themselves and their families fed", said Annie Owens. You can support the Taubmans workers by contacting the paint company to register your protest at their treatment of workers. E-mail: villawood_group@taubmans.com.au Phone: 02 9794 1200 LHMU members urgently need financial assistance. A special account for the workers has been set up. Donations can be deposited at any Commonwealth Bank Account No: 06 2006 103 55251.