In a stunning display of corporate callousness, administrators have blindsided AWU members who now face the prospect of months without access to their legally owed redundancy payments and entitlements.
"After supporting our members and working cooperatively with the administrators over recent weeks, we are shocked and appalled by this ambush, said AWU State Secretary, Ronnie Hayden.
"It is utterly outrageous to think you can lay off 40 plus hardworking Australians with no financial support or entitlements and expect it to go unnoticed.
"These are people with families, mortgages, and bills to pay."
The AWU has grave concerns that workers' pay and redundancy entitlements will be withheld until the liquidation process concludes.
The administrators have applied to the Federal Court to extend the administration process until August, meaning our members cannot apply for the Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG) for another six months until the company is officially liquidated.
"Our members are facing the prospect of leaving with zero dollars in their pockets and waiting half a year for their entitlements. This is completely unacceptable," continued AWU State Secretary, Ronnie Hayden.
"We are calling on the Federal Government to fast-track the FEG applications for these workers.
"The Fair Entitlements Guarantee is designed precisely for situations like this – to protect workers when businesses fail – but our members can't even access this safety net until liquidation occurs.
"Our members deserve better than to be treated as disposable assets.
"They've given years of service to Oceania Glass, and this is how they're repaid.
"The AWU is demanding urgent action to ensure workers receive their full entitlements without delay and warns that this shocking situation may only be the beginning.
"We are deeply concerned that there is more to come. This appears to be a calculated strategy to sideline workers' interests during the administration process.
"The union will be exploring all legal avenues to protect members' rights and hold the administrators accountable for their actions."
For media inquiries, please contact:
SASHA DOUGHERTY
Communications Manager
Mobile: 0438 498 305
sasha.dougherty@awu.net.au