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| Issue No 96 |  |
18 May 2001 |
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NewsChampion Workers Left With Nothing
Around 30 former employees of Champion Forms Marrickville are picketing their plant in an attempt to get paid for entitlements that are rightfully their's. They are victims of a high-finance scheme gone wrong. The workers and their union- the AMWU Print Division - are seeking the support of other unions, community groups and the public for their struggle. The workers were sacked on May 15 by administrators of the company, with no notice, redundancy pay, annual leave or other entitlements. These workers have worked for Champion for many years, are renowned throughout the printing industry for the quality of their work; and were sacked through no fault of their own. "Champion forms is made up of at least seven related companies which protect the owners and may leave workers with nothing," the AMWU's Mark West says. "One company employed the workers, and has few assets on paper. Another company received payments for work done. A different company owns the property, while other companies, which are still operating, hold the assets and continue to profit. These companies have the same directors. "This has got to stop. Artificial company structures that rob workers of their entitlements should be illegal. For many years Champion Forms profited from the work of its employees. The Directors should not be allowed to hide behind phoney company set-ups to avoid paying what they owe the workers. They should pay up-now." While the workers at Champion were employed by shelf companies with almost not assets, the substantial financial and real estate assets were held by other companies within the same structure. The AMWU is taking legal advice and will fight, using every means possible to protect the workers entitlements. The workers are seeking support in the following ways : o Drop in to the picket line at 7 - 21 Smith St Marrickville (on corner of Victoria Road) between the hours of 7am and 3pm o Phone your local MP, politician or union and let them know you support the Champion workers and are sick of the legalised highway robbery unscrupulous employers are able to get away with "Back our efforts to ensure that any funds from the sale of the Smith St property or other assets go to meeting workers' entitlements," West says.
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   Interview: The EnablerOn the eve of the release of his latest book, Beazley�s brain on the back-bench, Mark Latham, talks about putting the social back into socialism. Unions: Flogged To DeathOne third of Australian workers now work in conditions that would be deemed illegal in Europe. While in our workplaces so much is being done by so few with so little the Howard Government leans on its shovel reports Noel Hester. Corporate: Nike's Six Broken PromisesA new international report on the labour practices at Nike have placed their stated commitment to ethical employment under the microscope. International: Jagath at the Solidarity CafeWhen the brave workers at the Shangri-La Hotel in Jakarta marched on May Day, a Sydney unionist was by their side. Education: The Battle for Free ThoughtThe recent sacking of Dr Ted Steele at the University of Wollongong has focused attention on the need for vigilant defence of employment rights and academic freedom. History: Federation and LabourThe labour movement�s role in the 1897 Federal Convention and the subsequent referenda process has been largely forgotten. Satire: Addict Stops Using Smack After Talk With ParentsA 21-year-old heroin addict has agreed to give up his habit after his parents told him that using drugs was wrong. Review: Rouge or Red?Mark Hebblewhite argues that the new Baz Luhrmann blockbuster isn't without its class analysis.
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