Workers In Struggle

RAFFWU and McDonald’s

The Retail and Fast Food Workers Union (RAFFWU) launched proceedings against Brisbane-based McDonald’s franchisee Tantex Holdings Pty Ltd after its general manager said on a staff Facebook page that if workers wanted to enforce the 10-minute-break rule then this break would “be the only time you would ever be permitted to have a drink or go to the toilet.” Workers had complained that they were not getting their scheduled breaks. The company was found in breach of the Fair Work Act. The ruling said “Denial of access as needed to toilet facilities or drinking water could, as a matter of ordinary life experience, have adverse health and safety ramifications for an employee and thus enliven the primary statutory duty of an employer found in section 19 of the [Queensland] WHS Act.” Congratulations to the workers and RAFFWU on their victory!

AWU and Polytrade

One of Victoria’s largest kerbside recycling companies has paid about $1 million in back-pay to more than 30 of its mainly refugee and migrant workforce after one of Australia’s most egregious cases of wage theft.

At least 35 workers have received significant pay-outs in recent months, according to the AWU, with some receiving more than $60,000. Another was paid $25,000 after working at the company for just six months. The total payout so far is estimated at about $1 million, and an investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman is ongoing.

AWU Victorian secretary Ben Davis, who previously branded the treatment of workers at Polytrade a “national disgrace,” said the underpayments were “serious and egregious”.

RTBU SA and the South Australian Government

Members of the RTBU in South Australia have won the right to vote on strike action and other industrial action – including protest announcements over the PA system – as tensions increase over EBA negotiations.
The negotiations are occurring against a backdrop of privatisation and are now focusing on key items:

• Protecting the jobs and conditions of workers who are facing privatisation;

• Protecting the health and safety of workers and commuters; and

• Ensuring South Australian rail workers are paid in line with workers doing the same jobs in other states.

MUA and Svitzer Australia

MUA tug crew members working for Svitzer Australia will vote on taking industrial action after negotiations for a new workplace agreement stalled in early September. MUA Assistant National Secretary Ian Bray said:

“Svitzer Australia has essentially been unwilling to enter into meaningful negotiations for a new EBA. The company put forward an offer that would have imposed wage freezes for the next two years… but at the same time has been pressing ahead with aggressive attacks on the Port Operating Procedures in several ports.”

Members will vote on 20 potential forms of industrial action, including stoppages of various lengths, bans on overtime, a requirement to return to the berth for breaks, and modifications to work practices such as a refusal to undertake online training or use certain work systems.

Julian Assange, MEAA and United States Government

On Monday 7 Sept in London’s Old Bailey, Wikileaks founder and MEAA member Julian Assange began his legal battle against extradition to the United States on espionage charges.

If successfully prosecuted in the US, he would face up to 175 years jail.

The case has grave implications not only for Assange, but for journalism and media freedom worldwide.

Free Julian Assange! No extradition!

MUNZ and Ports of Auckland

The Maritime Union of New Zealand is calling for an end to 12 hour graveyard shifts after a stevedore died at Ports of Auckland on 27 August.

The Maritime Union’s Auckland Local 13 secretary Russell Mayn said Ports of Auckland workers could be mandated to work up to 60 hours a week, on top of long hours and the physically demanding work.

Mayn said 12 hour overnight shifts were too long, given waterfront work could be dangerous if simple mistakes were made or if someone was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He said night shifts should be reduced to a maximum of eight hours.

Fast food workers, USA

America surpassed the 1,000-strike count since March 1 after a series of fast-food worker strikes hit both Tampa and LA.

In Tampa, pro-worker forces attempted to raise support for Amendment 2, which would raise Florida’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2026.

The Worker’s Solidarity Bulletin is a living document written to reflect what is happening within the labour movement, here in Australia and across the world. The producers of this publication, and participants in Workers Solidarity more broadly, don’t necessarily endorse or agree with all of the views in this publication. This is a place for debate and discussion.

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