RETRENCHMENTS TAKE TOLL – SHORT WEEKS KICK IN
Since coming back from the 2008 Christmas New Year break the union has been busy with several rounds of retrenchments.
In our February 2009 Edition we reported on early job losses at Alody - Luxaflex, Budget Glass, Clarkson’s Glass and Skilled in Mount Gambier.
Retrenchments at Clarkson’s Glass were done in breach of the EBA guidelines and one retrenchment is being contested at the Australian Industrial Relations Commission as an unlawful dismissal.
Labour Hire Hours Reduced
Most sites report that labour hire use has plummeted in the last few months.
In March and April 2009 there have also been retrenchments at Peacock Furniture, UCI, more jobs lost at Alody in the ending of the shutter section and the staged closure of the Australian Kitchen Industries plant at Woodville. Westside Office Furniture has also been closed and contracts for their work awarded to Peppertree Furniture.
My Glazier has gone into administration and some workers from there have left to join other companies.
The union has been able to get jobs for retrenched workers in most cases and wishes to thank Steinhoff Greenfields, Supreme Kitchens and Design Joinery and Doors for offering employment to retrenched workers.
Short Weeks
A number of union sites are starting to use annual leave and RDOS in short week arrangements including Peacock Furniture, SCF, UCI and Alody.
Short weeks involve using RDOS or annual leave to plug production gaps rather than retrench workers. As reported in The Australian on Saturday 11th April 2009 many large timber mills though-out SA, Victoria and Tasmania have shut down for 10 days over the Easter break.
NEW MEMBERS
New members have joined the union at Boral Window Systems, Steinhoff Greenfields, Peacock Furniture, Westside Office Furniture, Regency Robes, Alody and SAS Pine.
Member lists are available by contacting the union office National Administration Centre on 03 9 274 9200. Alternatively your local union official can provide assistance to get you up to date details.
UNION JOBS SERVICE
If a member is retrenched the union provides a job service to help members find new employment.
Often other companies that employ union members are willing to employ retrenched members and contact the union offering employment.
Recently in Dartmoor Victoria a special support service was established to ensure over 100 retrenched workers were able to receive maximum assistance from local, state and federal government packages.
Ricky Owen a former CFMEU Shop Steward at the Dartmoor Mill worked closely with Max Diamond of FIETS and with the union’s South East Officers Brad Coates and Travis Lawson to look after workers hurt by the closure of the Carter Holt Harvey/GTFP Mill. Michelle Ingley-Smith has also provided assistance as part of a Forest Works program.
 |
 |
 |
|
