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Issue No. 143 | 05 July 2002 |
Bad Bosses
Interview: Media Magnet Bad Boss: Abbott's Heroes Technology: All in the Family International: New Labour's Cracks Economics: Virtuality Check History: Necessary Utopias Poetry: Let Me Bring Love Review: How Not To Get It Together Satire: NZ, UK Added to Australia�s Migration Zone
Revealed: The Evidence Cole Won�t Touch WorkCover to Set Up Crimes Unit Electricians Oppose Family-Busting Conditions Blue-Collar Blokes Back Mat Leave Murdoch Telegraphs Contracts Push Abbot Changes Rules for �Employer Advocate� Funding Cuts Drives Academics Mad Star City Casino Strike On The Cards Chifley Planners Lose Benefits Qantas Staff Sick of Shivering Regional Councils Call Jobs Summit Kiwi Ex-Pats Targeted for Poll Push Shangri-La Workers Still Fighting
The Soapbox The Locker Room Bosswatch Week in Review
Buggering the Bush The Great Giveaway Down and Out Why I hate Telstra
Labor Council of NSW |
Bad Boss Abbott's HeroesBy Jim Marr
*************** Stephen Crockford rules his non-descript, suburban office, next to the Parramatta Railway Station, with an iron fist, but not for much longer if ASU Services Union members have their way. Crockford is the main man at Morrisey Malcolm Direct Marketing. He's the boss, the manager, or as some insist, the Ayatollah, of this small slice of Call Centre land. Crockford first came to ASU notice more than two years ago when a single mother complained that he would call workers in during their four-hour shifts, tell them their efforts weren't up to scratch, and send them packing without pay. Buoyed by advice that he had to pay for the contracted shift, on May 10, 2000, this woman stood up for herself, demanding payment for her shift. Without hesitation, Crockford laid his anti-worker credentials on the line, ringing the coppers and having her removed from the property. There was some toing and froing with the ASU over that debacle before Crockford munched a dose of humble pie and coughed up thousands of dollars to ease the disgruntled worker's route back to the job market. Suddenly, he's back on the ASU radar, bolder than ever, and backed to the hilt, this time, by the charming people from Employers First. About half his 30-strong workforce have joined the union but they are having a devil of a job getting progress on wages, security of employment and a myriad of other issues. They have, however, drawn first blood on the issue of health and safety. Employers First brushed demands for ergonomic seating, headsets and safety equipment at the centre which solicits funds for Wheelchair Sports Australia, by promising, on June 5, to have an "independent" health and safety audit done within a week. When there had been no movement after three weeks, the ASU called in Workcover which gave Morrissey Malcolm a month to fix these issues or face fines. Wages, entitlements and job security, however, remain in dispute. Most workers do four shifts a week but neither the company, nor Employers First, are prepared to concede permanent status. Nor will they move on all-in payments of $10 an hour. At Argyle St domain, Crockford sits out front, watching and occassionally barking at workers lined up at rows of old-fashioned school desks. Past complaints have resulted in a written request that he "immediately cease inimidating, yelling (at) and threatening your employees". His efforts at Morrissey Malcolm have seen Crockford nominated for the inaugural Tony Award, named in memory of Tony Abbott's immortal claim that a bad boss was better than no boss at all. Sources within the ASU say they expect strong competition from employers of CFMEU members, especially those who have been judged responsible for some of the industry's workplace deaths. But the ASU is confident its candidate can match most competition. They point to the letter Rockford has Morrissey Malcolm employees sign before they start hauling in their $10 an hour. "As a casual employee, I hereby acknowledge," it reads, "that the $10 an hour paid to me is a payment in lieu of any entitlement to sick leave, annual leave loading, payment for public holidays and long service leave" Even the bonus scheme he operates, reinforces perceptions that Rockford might not be overly-generous in the remuneration department. Employees who exceed quota, stand to rake in $2 bonuses which, at Parramatta prices, would just about cover a takeaway coffee. After all, we're not talking $2 an hour, here. Imagine it, an unknown from the burbs, carrying off the inaugural Tony. We could be treated to a classic acceptance speech ... I could never have done this by myself. I would like to thank Tony Abbott for his support, encouragement and recognition, Employers First who always believed in my methods and, of course, the WA-based directors of Morrissey Malcolm who couldn't be here tonight ... Jeez, you know what? This bloke just might be in with a shout.
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