John McGill & Emma Murphy, Adelaide
On September 14, 200 people rallied outside the Prospect Radio Rentals outlet in support of 16 employees who have been locked out without pay for one month. The rally was addressed by Australian Manufacturing Workers Union national secretary Doug Cameron, AMWU state organiser John Camillo, federal Labor MP Kate Ellis and others.
The lockout began on September 8, the day after the workers held a four-hour stoppage, the first of planned rolling stoppages in response to a dispute over a new enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA). The workers have not received a pay rise for three years and are asking for a 2.5% rise.
Three of the workers, including the union delegate, have been made redundant with no notice, and the company has withdrawn from the EBA negotiations, insisting that the workers sign Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs — individual contracts). In addition, 13 workers are being sued in the federal court for an after-hours protest that the company claims was detrimental to its business.
The workers are asking for all staff to be treated fairly, for the reinstatement of the three sacked workers, and for a negotiated collective agreement and the withdrawal of the unfair AWAs. Since the lockout began, community protests have been held at all Radio Rentals stores in Adelaide.
AMWU organiser Colin Fenney told Green Left Weekly that the public response to the protests has been "phenomenal". People have been giving money they had intended to spend at Radio Rentals to support the workers, he said.
The locked-out workers, their families and supporters held a solidarity breakfast outside the home of Radio Rentals boss Barry Walker on September 16. They were highlighting that, while the Walters live comfortably in their plush house, some of the locked-out workers risk losing their homes. Similar actions were held simultaneously in Sydney and Melbourne.
The workers have been told they may go back to work if they sign AWAs, but AMWU state organiser Brad Jackson told GLW that the strong community support is buoying the workers' spirits, and they have no intention of signing the AWAs. "Even when the month is over, if they're just offering us the same old rubbish, we won't go back", he said.
Workers and supporters maintaining a presence outside the largest Radio Rentals store are confident that the company is feeling the effect of their campaign. At least three people have cancelled their accounts with the store and many people in the thousands of cars passing the outlet each day honk their support. The company bought a full-page advertisement in the September 9 Adelaide Advertiser to try to defend its action.
Supporters are urged to voice their concerns to Radio Rentals by phoning 1800 805 250 (free call). In Adelaide, all are welcome at the community protest at 108 Main North Road, Prospect, every weekday. Phone the AMWU state office on (08) 8366 5800 or Brad on 0419 854 415 for details of community protests at other stores.
The AMWU is raising funds to pay the locked-out workers in lieu of their wages. Donations can be deposited into the "AMWU Dispute Fund" at the National Australia Bank, branch number 082057, account number 862393418.