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Issue No. 238 | 17 September 2004 |
Going Gangbusters?
Interview: True Matilda Politics: State of Play Industrial: Capital Dilemmas Unions: Rhodes Scholars National Focus: Rennovating the Lodge International: People Power Economics: A Bit Rich History: Mine Shafts Safety: Sick Of Fighting Organising: Building a Wave Poetry: Anger In The Bush(es) Review: The Battle Of Algiers Culture: The Word On The Street
Ranger Incompetence Saves Lives Capt Cook Discovers Flexibility TV Clash Using Visual Ammunition
The Soapbox Politics Postcard The Locker Room Postcard
Invest In Dignity!
Labor Council of NSW |
News Kodak Blurs Jobs Picture
Kodak blamed the "international market" for the bombshell it dropped on Coburg but affected workers told AMWU officials they had been on six-day weeks up until the announcement, and another 14 people had been scheduled to start today (Friday).
The American multi-national barred union officials, including AMWU national secretary Doug Cameron and his Victorian counterpart Dave Oliver, from the meeting where it told staff they were finished. Oliver said Kodak had "totally mismanaged" the issue and called on it to "come clean" about the situation. "We want to see their business plans and the arguments on which they are basing this closure. Members have told us they have been working increased hours," Oliver said. "In the paper area, they have been doing six days weeks and expected 14 new starters to begin today. At the moment, it seems, Kodak's actions don't tally with its words. "Kodak has treated these people with contempt and our mission is to save jobs, as many as possible. If we can only save one job it will be disappointing but it will be a better situation than we are in today." AMWU officials brushed a city briefing with corporate lawyers to arrive at the Coburg plant in time for the announcement but were refused entry to the site and relegated to interviewing members as they left. Oliver said Kodak hadn't responded to the union's first question - had it, at any stage, approached state or federal government about possible assistance for preserving jobs? "In the middle of a federal election campaign, you would think, they would be in a good position to improve the situation if they wanted to," he said. The AMWU is calling for a meeting with Kodak, the state and federal governments. It is insisting that if jobs must go, the company offer voluntary redundancy across its operation. Kodak blamed its decision to chop 650 production jobs on what it said was the international victory of digital over film. Four hundred administrative, sales and stores jobs will remain in Melbourne. The company has rejected suggestions that Coburg jobs will be exported to a cheap labour site in China.
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