Keep up the fight against Work Choices and Racism in the Workplace* : Melbourne Indymedia

*Keep up the fight against Work Choices and Racism in the Workplace*

*Turrella Workers have Victory*

Workers, unions and community activists have had a fantastic victory at Thompson's Roller Shutters yesterday. The AMWU signed an EBA with the company which included a wage rise, increased redundancy entitlements, entitlements back paid to July 31 and a written agreement from the company that no striker would be victimised.
The workers agreed o sign and are returning to work this morning.
The unlawful dismissal case taken by the union for the worker sacked after complaining about racial discrimination is still to be resolved.

A week ago, the AMWU was very worried about this dispute, they thought it would drag on for ever and was even unwinnable.
The dispute had been going for three weeks, the boss was cocky and refusing to negotiate with the union and production was high. Morale on the picket line was low.

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last week, as well as Tuesday this week, community members mobilised by Worker Solidarity came down to the picket line. The large numbers who turned out and the threat of an ongoing community campaign against the boss was decisive in forcing a shift. On Monday this week, the boss' negotiator told the union he was ready to present a document that would end the dispute. Production had decreased inside the shop and morale on the picket line had soared, while it was obviously dropping inside.

The union organiser and the striking workers have asked that their thanks be given to everyone who turned up to support the group.
They have said that the dispute would not have been won if it was not for that community support and the community picket lines.

We can all feel proud that our actions tipped the balance in favour of the striking workers. However, while it is good to get a victory under our belt, there are several other disputes going on in Sydney that will need our support, as well as the need to mobilise people to come to the November 30 rallies. This win, though, will certainly go a long way to increasing the confidence and trust between the unions and community activists and no doubt we will be called on in the future for further solidarity.

In Solidarity,
Liam Mitchell
On behalf of Worker Solidarity

COMMENT:
Yes despite this week's High Court ruling against the States and the ACTU affiliates that Howard and the Commonwealth of Australia can legislate anything the Corporations want that workers in solidarity can and will win if they stick together.