By Chris Spindler
MELBOURNE — Beef processor G&K O'Connors, in Pakenham, has locked out 250 workers after refusing to negotiate an enterprise agreement. The meatworkers have been locked out now for two months. The workers' union, the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union, is running a campaign to have the workers reinstated and to maintain their conditions.
O'Connors is seeking an across the board wage cut of 10%, a further 7.5% cut for slicers, an increase in hours, the elimination of one public holiday and a range of penalty rates, a reduction in the casual loading for new employees and a reduction in superannuation payments for labourers.
The employer is exploiting a traditionally slow time of the year for the meat industry to try to break the union and reduce workers' conditions while it can afford not to produce.
The bosses have attempted to provoke strike action and have employed Dunhill Madden Butler, the legal firm used by the federal government during the 1998 waterfront dispute.
The union took the company to court because many of the letters sent to employees were wrongly addressed, which meant workers did not get adequate notice of the lockout so were entitled to an extra two weeks' pay.
O'Connors is trying to starve the workers back to work. However, with the backing of the union and support from the local community, the workers resolve is strong. The union has established a fund for the locked-out workers and is campaigning in the local community to win more support.
It is apparent that O'Connors has no intention of resolving the dispute quickly. It sent office staff on five weeks' holiday at the start of the dispute.
The company may move to have the current agreement set aside, which would enable it to recruit a scab work force. If this course is pursued, solidarity will be needed to win the jobs, with decent conditions, back for the original work force.
Donations for the locked out workers and their families can be sent to the Pakenham Relief Fund, c/- 62 Lygon St, Carlton South 3053.