
Issue No 53		12 May 2000

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News

Joy Dispute Widens With Midnight Run

By Rowan Cahill

The Joy Manufacturing Company dispute on the Southern Highlands has widened with furtive moves by the company, including late night truck movements to transfer equipment from the site to another base in Wollongong.

Once the secret destination was located, a picket line was established. Twice during this week police were required to remove picketers who were obstructing the entry of nine breakaway workers to the relocated workshop.

On Thursday, about100 supporters protested the operation of the workshop.

Tensions were fuelled by provocative local and regional media reporting of the dispute. A spokesman for the nine breakaway workers was reportedly fulsome in praise of the Joy company, and expressed anti-union sentiments.

It is understood the company is seeking an extension of its Supreme Court injunction to cover both the the Moss Vale and Wollongong sites, as well as other union players along with the already restrained AMWU, the AWU, and the CEPU.

Negotiations between Joy and the AMWU stalemated during the week when the company showed no sign of backing away from the contentious issues at the heart of the dispute: the introduction contract labour, flexibility of hours, and four EBAs in place of one collective agreement.

Meanwhile back on the Highlands, with an early hint of snow in the air, the 70 locked-out workers have settled in for the duration. Two site-sheds have been added to the tent encampments outside the Joy worksite, giving the picket line an air of permanency and providing significant comforts for those who have manned it non-stop for seven weeks.

Financial assistance is welcome. The locked-out workers have no income nor social security entitlements. A fighting fund has been established called Joy Workers (Moss Vale) Fighting Fund. Messages and financial support can be sent to the AMWU NSW State Council, P O Box 167, Granville, NSW 2142 or fax: 02 9897 2219.

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Issue 53 contents

Interview: The Fruitful Shaw
After ten years in Parliament, NSW Industrial Relations Minister Jeff Shaw looks at some mountains still to be climbed.

Politics: Budget in Reply
Opposition Leader Kim Beazley replies to the Federal budget and paints Labor's alternative vision for the future.

Economics: Petition to Move a Mountain
A child born in Zambia or Tanzania or Bolivia owes more to international creditors than she or he will ever earn in a lifetime.

International: Solidarity in a Cold Climate
After an overnight bargaining marathon, Norway's unions have secured most of their main demands and have now ended their nationwide strike.

Health: Workers Health Centre Comes of Age
In 2001, the Workers Health Centre will celebrate its 25th anniversary, making it the longest running independent trade union based health and safety service in the country.

History: A Tribute to the Fallen
A Canadian tractor operator is seeking help to produce a book on monuments to people killed in the workplace.

Satire: Ralph Web Ring Busted
Following the dismissal of 27 Telstra employees last week for downloading hardcore pornography on their work computers, Ralph magazine sacked five employees yesterday for downloading positive images of women.

Review: Waterfront - Through the Reporters' Eyes
Fairfax journalists Helen Trinca and Anne Davies have skillfully transformed the waterfront war into the sort of thriller that any self-respecting Hollywood mogul would reject for being too wild to be true.

» Costello Backs National GST Pay Claim

» Conference Call: Support the NSW Way

» Games Rail Service in Limbo

» Shaw Moves on Email Protection

» Salami Reform: Reith Chops Up the Nasties

» Advocate in Trouble Over Rural Sackings

» Unionists take to Streets for May Day 2000

» Shareholders Rattle Rinto Tinto Cage

» Joy Dispute Widens With Midnight Run

» Employers Fail to Defy History

» Indonesian Labor Educator Reports to Local Unions

» Big Drum-Up This Wednesday