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  Issue No 66 Official Organ of LaborNet 11 August 2000  

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News

Saloon Doors Flap as Wealthy Owner Walks

By Andrew Casey

Several hundred people working for the franchise restaurant Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon have been thrown out of their jobs this week without any notice or warning.

The US franchise chain has as its managing director in Australia, Robert.M.LaPointe, who has been involved in bringing other franchises to this country - including KFC, Pizza Hut and CarLovers Carwash.

Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon has this week shutdown ten stores - employing more than 300 people - scattered throughout Victoria, Tasmania, NSW, Queensland and Western Australia.

The company has been involved in some controversial workplace practices - including bringing in private security guards to stop workers from talking to the union before they were to take a vote on a non-union enterprise agreement.

The restaurant chain has sent a letter to the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union (LHMU), dated August 9, to inform the union that the closures were happening, that day, and all employees were terminated immediately.

'Of course it wasn't faxed. It arrived two days later by snail mail. We got no telephone call. It was a fig leaf to cover the disrespectful way they treated their workforce,' Tim Ferrari, the Assistant National Secretary of the LHMU said.

'At this stage there is no information about what entitlements the workers will receive as a result of their retrenchments. They have been told to wait nearly three weeks, till September 1.'

'This is unacceptable treatment of loyal workers. The boss of Lone Star, Robert.M.La Pointe, should get out his cheque book immediately,' Mr Ferrari said.

'Offers being made in some cases to transfer young workers - way across town - to another restaurant, instead of paying their entitlements, is a crook outcome for these young workers.'

'The company is trying to salve their conscience by giving their ex-employees a list of Job Network employment providers, hoping they will find them a job.'

'Many - if not all- of the former Lone Star workers won't be able to get help because they won't qualify for complete service under the current Job Network rules.'

'I am not surprised there has been no warning to the workers about the closures when you look at the history of Lone Star creating unfair non-union agreements whenever they set up a new site.'

'Before they open an outlet they roll young kids in - often school children who are looking for extra pocket money - and hand them a document to vote on.'

'They even called in private security goons to try to stop the Union talking to workers in Launceston, Tasmania, a couple of years ago.'

'When you're looking for a new job, unemployed , or just looking for extra pocket money, of course you'll do the right thing by your prospective boss and vote for the agreement.'

'It's like a muster, and must be frightening, especially if you are desperate for a job.'

'In Tasmania we had parents crying on the phone to our union officials about how poorly their children were treated when asked to vote to set up a non-union agreement.'

The sites that have been closed down are Launceston and Hobart in Tasmania; Newcastle in NSW; Townsville in Queensland; Geelong, Sunshine, Frankston and Brighton in Victoria; Woodford and Morley in WA.


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*   View entire issue - print all of the articles!

*   Issue 66 contents

In this issue
Features
*  Interview: Shifting Sands
Michael Crosby Joint Director of the ACTU Organising Centre talks to Workers Online about the changing nature of union power, 'use it or lose it' coverage and how the ALP will have to deal with a transformed union movement.
*
*  Unions: Mission Possible
From Cambodia to Kyrghyzstan, from Malawi to Mozambique, this is one nurse who accepts certain missions where life is on the edge, and she loves it.
*
*  Economics: A Progressive Alternative
Andrew Scott outlines a policy approach for an ALP Government that aims to deliver social as well as economic progress.
*
*  International: Unions Back International Seafarer Deal
Shipping union representatives from 56 countries have decided to back a pioneering international collective bargaining agreement with ship employers.
*
*  Politics: Apolitical Myth
Over the last ten years one story about public interest in politics has found resonance, especially in the US. It suggests that people are no longer interested in political issues. Researchers from the Demos Foundation put this claim under the microscope.
*
*  Satire: Elaine Nile retires citing victory in "War on Masturbation"
There were emotional displays and many tributes paid today as Elaine Nile, Christian Democrat MP of 12 years standing, announced her retirement from the Parliament.
*
*  Review: Pure Shit
The 1970s Aussie drug classic, Pure Shit - a 70s Australian style Trainspotting - is being dusted off for a one-off showing at the Chauvel.
*

News
»  It Will Happen Again Warn Fiji Unions
*
»  Telstra in Olympic Twist Over Games Allowance
*
»  FAAA Uncovers Sham Employment at Impulse
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»  Saloon Doors Flap as Wealthy Owner Walks
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»  ACOSS Slams Job Network
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»  Scrap HECS Say Nurses
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»  Fahey's Flog Off Fiasco
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»  Things Go Better With a $100 a Day Extra
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»  Shopping Centre Silent Over Greedy Grab
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»  Selley's Workers Stick to Union
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»  Taxi Incentive Needed to Avert Olympic Shortage
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»  Sneaky Chubb Forced to Pay Redundancy
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»  Seaforth Picket Marks a Year With Picnic
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»  Road Rage! Air Rage! WORK RAGE!
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Columns
»  The Soapbox
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»  Sport
*
»  Trades Hall
*
»  Tool Shed
*

Letters to the editor
»  Proud To Support s.11
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