Victory at Amcor : Melbourne Indymedia

Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Victory at Amcor

It appears that the workers at Amcor Flexibles in Preston have won a tremendous victory.

The last desparate days management hired secruity guards to dismantle part of picket (quickly rebuilt) and organised another phone poll. Yesterday (Tues 15 August) a federal court order was placed on Dave Kerin Union Solidarity coordinator.

Details of the final settlement are yet to come to hand but workers and supporters claim the results as a victory. All legal action against the AMWU and supports will be dropped. Union Solidarity wishes to thank the courage of the Amcor workers who stared down management and the great support received throughout the movement.

All Power to Union Solidarity and the AMCOR workers - I look forward to hearing more about this great victory. Dave Kerin must have been doing something right!!!

Wasn't the redundancy process given the "tick" by the AIRC?

Hi Ms

"Wasn't the redundancy process given the "tick" by the AIRC?"

It is our understanding that this was not the case. The AIRC could not intervene. The return to work settlement is that an independent board will re-look at the process and the workers and unions are very confident that the re-examination will see the targetted members retain their jobs.

The history of what exactly the AIRC ruled could be found on their website. Transcripts should be available.

All the best

"Details of the final settlement are yet to come to hand but workers and supporters claim the results as a victory".

Er...then how do we know it's a victory if we don't know the details?

The workers could have been slammed up the arsearooney for all we know.

Give us the facts before making a sweeping statement, dickwad.

The union lodged a dispute about the redundancy process with the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC), which was heard on 27 July.

The Commission confirmed the company’s redundancy process was fair.

"what victory?"

Yes it was a victory.

A. The union and workers demand was no forced redundacy. 15 day strike over issue of principal. Company agreed to let everyone back in the gate. Backed off original demand. Process re-examined. Targetted workers will end up staying at the plant.

B. Company used the AIRC to impose return to work orders on the workers. Rank and file members refused to be intimidated. Defied possible fines under new IR laws. Union felt compelled to order a return to work under threat of fines and imprisonment. Workers still refused to refused to buckle. Only when the workers felt that they had achieved original demand did they vote to return to work. Company has withdrawn planned Federal Court action. So Amcor workers the first workers to face down bosses new IR laws.

C. Amcor forced to backdown because strike spread to other plants throughout Australia, hundreds of workers were involved. Possible overseas action was discussed.

AIRC? From Ms
"The union lodged a dispute about the redundancy process with the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC), which was heard on 27 July.

The Commission confirmed the company’s redundancy process was fair."

Again the union interpretation on this is different. Need to get July 27 transcripts to settle the matter. But big deal. So what if the AIRC said it was fair? The AIRC is and alway was a bosses court. The AIRC ordered workers back to work, threaten to sieze the union assests and officials with imprisionment. The AIRC can go and fuck themselves. End of argument!!! Oops am I in comtempt of court?

Which side are you on?

The truth.

The original article overlooked a significant fact being the AIRC had no difficulty with the redundancy process. The AIRC process has been employed by both sides of the industrial fence over the years and the fact that its role has been watered down by WorkChoices would suggest it has been anything but the bosses "court".

Can Ms Matilda please supply a reference to the AIRC transcript or decision? I can find no record of any such hearing on 27 July.