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Issue No. 226 | 25 June 2004 |
US Forces
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
Hadgkiss Sinks Boot into Safety Della Puts Cleaners Through Schools Freespirit Severs "Slavery" Link Sydney Water to Drip Feed Public
The Soapbox The Soapbox The Locker Room Politics
Labor Council of NSW |
News Put a Job in Your Trolley
National Union of Workers member, Rob Diefenbach, features in full page weekend newspaper ads appealing for Australian workers to "buy some extra Golden Circle products" next time they go shopping.
The 13-year Golden Circle veteran is one of more than 1000 NUW members who support their families through jobs at the company's Queensland plant. "Our members are genuine hard working people," says Mark Furner, Queensland NUW secretary. Golden Circle announced losses of over $10 million in 2003 with unions learning of the company's position in the middle of enterprise agreement negotiations. "For over 50 years Golden Circle has operated as a co-operative," says Furner. "Now they're starting to realise that they need to operate a more effective business." Despite Golden Circle's position the union was able to conclude a successful 12 month agreement which comes up for renegotiation in the next three months and Golden Circle workers are hoping the company's financial position will have improved. Furner said that the NUW would be keeping a "close eye" on developments and would ensure that the business remained viable. The union stressed that they would not allow conditions or safety standards to slip. The company has pointed to SARS and the drought as affecting production and distribution but commentators say cheap imports and poor business decisions have had serious affects. The NUW voted at the recent Queensland ALP state conference to oppose the Australian-US Free Trade Agreement, a deal that the union believes will be a negative for the Golden Circle workers. The campaign initially appears to have had a positive impact according to Golden Circle management. "Everyone at Golden Circle has been overwhelmed by the support that has been pouring in from around the country since our ads appeared at the weekend," says Steve Morrow, Chief Executive of Golden Circle. "It's also terrific that the union movement has got behind us. Golden Circle has employed many thousands of Queenslanders at its processing plant over the years, including current state Premier, Peter Beattie.
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