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Issue No. 126 | 01 March 2002 |
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I Don�t Like Sprouts
Interview: Clean Hands Corporate: Out of Asia Unions: Tears, Real And Crocodile, At The Ansett Wake Economics: Labour�s Capital: Individual Or Collective? History: Mardi Gras: The Biggest Labour Festival? International: Driving A Hard Bargain Review: In Bed With a Sub-Machine Gun Satire: Whitlam Forgives Kerr: "At Least He Didn't Dismiss A Rape Victim" Poetry: Dear Mother
The Soapbox The Locker Room Week in Review
 More on Harry BridgesWell Done, SplitterRepeating History
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News Casino Workers Show Their Hands
Last week, Star City announced a record half-year profit (before interest and tax) of $77.9 million, up 60.4% from the same time last year - with a full year profit of $225 million predicted for Star City's owners. "Star City Casino has bucked the hard times which have hit some other Australian casinos. The more than 3000 workers at the casino helped its owner, Tabcorp, to win out. They deserve a share of the excellent profit growth, " LHMU Casino Union NSW secretary, Annie Owens said. " Since Star City opened in 1995 it has become one of the biggest employers in the city. By paying improved wages it will set a responsible standard and help improve the economy of this great city." Ky LHMU claims for a new enterprise agreement include: � Wage increases of 10 per cent per year; � A reward for continuity of service of $10 per week for each year; � Employee share scheme - shares worth at least $500 per year; � 50% weekend loading from 4pm Friday to 6am Monday; � 2% additional superannuation; � Optional Hepatitis B vaccinations for at risk workers; � Independent ergonomic study of work functions for dealers suffering back, neck, arm and wrist pain; � Parental leave of 14 weeks Apart from improving wages union members have called on Star City to do something about improving safety and transport. Threats of violence from patrons " Our members report that there has been a steady increase in threats of physical violence from unhappy patrons and they want the company to take these concerns seriously. " The union is concerned for the safety of casino workers at Star City and is not willing to wait until threats escalate further and result in serious injury or death," Annie Owens said. " A recent survey at Star City showed that just under half of the workforce had been threatened with physical violence by a customer during the last twelve months. " The threats included verbal threats to workers families, instances of physical abuse, and death threats such as: 'If I had a gun, I'd kill you now' or 'I'll be waiting for you at 4am'." Union members met with the NSW Minister for Gaming and Racing late last year about these threats and have gathered information to demonstrate new walk-through recognition equipment to identify the presence of weapons was necessary to create a safer workplace. Casino workers are thoroughly screened to ascertain their eligibility to work at Star City, and they have to accept regular bag and locker searches - but there is little or no screening of Star City patrons who are able to enter the casino with knives and guns. Nearly six million people visited Star City over the last year. The current threatening environment calls for the operators to enhance their security measures along the same lines as the improvements now being installed by other tourism industry operators. The popularity of the Darling Harbour area and a growing local population has made it difficult for workers, finishing at all hours, to access transport The LHMU Casino Union has been at the forefront of international campaigns to ban smoking at Casinos. The implementation of this policy would remove risks associated with environmental tobacco smoke. Casino dealers at Star City Casino were the first to gain a smoke free workplace. " This has been a long running campaign by the LHMU Casino Union, at the moment there are still some areas remaining where smoking is permitted - we are committed to bringing this to an end," Owens said. Beer Cold and Prawns Peeled Tops are being knocked off cold ones at the Austbelt Splicing Services employees social club in Brisbane as former workmate, Allan Gabel, is welcomed back after winning an unfair dismissal case. Gabel was sacked last July for selling second-hand conveyor belt to raise $400 for social club funds. The second-hand belt is of no use to the company but finds a market amongst people who use it to line utilities or make mudflaps. Austbelt had known that Gabel and other workers had, for years, swapped useless belt for cash, beer or prawns which all went into building up the workers' social club. The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) found the sacking of the AMWU member had been "harsh, unjust and unreasonable". It ordered his reinstatement with full back pay to July 31, 2001. "Mr Gabel and other Austbelt employees were not making personal gain, they were building up their social club. I would have thought that was good for morale and the company would have encouraged their initiative," AMWU Queensland secretary, David Harrison, said. "This decision highlights the importance of strong unfair dismissal laws and shows how easily workers can have their lives turned upside down for the simplest things. All workers need protection from companies acting in this way, not matter how big or small the business is." Harrison pointed out the Federal Government was trying to remove this protection, presumably with the support of National Party Member for Hinkler, Paul Neville. The AMWU called on Neville to support working people in his electorate by voting against the Tony Abbott legislation when it comes before parliament.
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