By Geoff Spencer
and Liz McMurrich
PERTH — workers at the Westrail Midland Workshop, which the state Liberal government intends to close, set up a 24-hour picket line on May 20 to prevent the movement of freight trains; 24 were stopped. Green Left spoke to several of the workers involved.
Dave Goddard, boilermaker and MEWU convener at the workshops, explained that the workers were "asking for the release of a document provided by Barry Henshaw [general manager of the workshops] and other heads of department to the government some six to eight weeks ago. The document justified the cost cuts, resulting in the loss of some 1050 jobs, 750 of them at the workshops.
"We want the document released to enable the unions to compare our own figures with the figures of the document. The only document received so far from Eric Charlton [minister of transport] is a six-page statement regarded by the workers and unions as false and misleading."
The Charlton statement says the workshops run at an $18 million loss. Goddard said that one of the misleading things about the $18 million figure is that it includes $2.5 million for "notional rent". Yet Jim Gill, the commissioner of railways, is on record saying that the land being "rented" is worth only $2 million.
"Another aspect that doesn't seem to have been considered is the unique work being done here" Goddard explained. "The workshops currently produce for Westrail crossing turnouts for $65,000. The cost of getting these turnouts through another source is almost double at $125,000. The economics don't make sense."
While stunned by the abrupt announcement of the planned closure, the workers "also realise it to be yet another in a series of attacks on workers all over Australia", Goddard said.
"The straitjacket of the Accord prevented any resistance previously. Because of this, the unions and the workers realise the importance of fighting this attack as long as necessary. Solidarity is essential.
"In continuing this struggle, further actions will be mass meetings, public awareness campaigns as well as solidarity with other unions. Already we are receiving a lot of support — the response from the Robb Jetty meatworkers and their union, the local community, the three local shire councils and the erce.
"After the initial shock there is a growing resistance to the closure amongst the work force."
This view was seconded by Greg Perejuan, turner and an MEWU deputy shop steward. "There is a feeling of optimism and determination. What the workers are expecting is to dig their heels in and fight."
John Olding, Public Transport Union workshops divisional president and a PTU convener at the workshops, said, "The rank and file want to know when the TLC are going to do something. The stewards here have already decided that a stop-work and march on parliament when it opens on June 17 is necessary."
Westrail has since threatened that it "may be forced to sack workers if industrial action continues". Some 300 workers staffed the picket during its 24 hours.