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Issue No. 223 | 04 June 2004 |
Last Year�s Model
Interview: The New Democrat Bad Boss: The Ugly Australian Unions: Free Spirits and Slaves Industrial: National Focus History: A Class Act International: Across the Ditch Economics: Home Truths Review: No Time Like Tomorrow Poetry: Silent Note
Ground Staff Spread Fashion Wings Ghan Raises Trans-Continental Stink Rail Workers Cop �Beer Nannies� Big Business Plan to Cripple Compo Safety Defects Plague Adelaide Police Investigate Assault Claim
The Soapbox The Soapbox The Locker Room Politics
Labor Council of NSW |
News Witnesses Face Casual Duress
Shirley Chabet, who works for a mushroom farm, said casual workers were "not on their own" and should "stay strong" after giving evidence in a landmark case that seeks to deliver security to thousands of employees.
Chabet and co-worker Lisa Bowman were inspired to speak out after being employed as casuals, despite years of working 30 hours a week for Hastings Valley Mushrooms. Bowman was keen to gain secure employment after taking out a home loan, and wanted access to sick pay, holidays, maternity leave and redundancy pay. The workers said that the owner of the company where they work was not happy they were giving evidence at the Test Case. The owner allegedly told the women that the case had "nothing to do with the mushroom industry". A former workmate tipped off Chabet and Bowman to their rights. When they joined the union they weren't aware of any award entitlements. Unions say employer threats have forced other workers to withdraw from giving evidence to the landmark case. Unions are running the Secure Employment test case to give casuals protection from ongoing uncertainty of employment. "Employers insinuated that if [the workers] gave evidence they'd be dismissed," says NSW AWU organiser Craig Tate, who pointed to "draconian employment conditions" as being the norm for casual workers in regional NSW. The women were congratulated for speaking out by John Keen, secretary of the Newcastle and Northern NSW branch of the AWU and also received a warm welcome when they attended the NSW Labor Council last week. After her outspoken stance Bowman's encouraged other casual workers to join their union: "Don't believe you're on your own. Make sure you're getting your entitlements." The Secure Employment Test Case continues this week.
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