Members of the Australian Workers Union (AWU) at the Townsville Glencore Refinery will take protected industrial action after almost a year of negotiations.
Negotiations started on the 25th of March last year, but to date Glencore has refused to offer workers a decent wage increase that meets the rising cost of living.
This week the AWU gave notice of protected industrial action, with workers planning to walk off the job on Friday if the issues can’t be resolved at a bargaining meeting scheduled for Thursday this week.
Quotes attributable to AWU Queensland Branch Secretary Stacey Schinnerl:
‘After almost a year of negotiations workers have had enough of Glencore’s standover tactics’.
‘This is the same company that received a massive $600m government bailout last year to protect these jobs, but here we are almost six months on and they are still refusing to give their workers a fair go.’
‘Our members have been working hard to make sure this refinery has a future despite Glencore’s history when it comes to stripping assets and dumping workers at the first sign of economic pressure.’
‘The wage offer that Glencore have put on the table doesn’t even come close to meeting rising cost of living pressures faced by workers and their families.’
‘Glencore are happy to put their hand out to boost their bottom line and make their businesses more profitable. It’s an absolute disgrace they are still trying to rip workers off.’
‘We have a bargaining meeting on Thursday where we hope Glencore will finally come to the table to sort this out. If not, workers will walk off the job at the refinery on Friday morning. The message to Glencore is clear, we won’t accept you short-changing our members.’
Quotes attributable to AWU Northern District Secretary Jim Wilson:
‘Glencore should be ashamed of the way they are treating their workforce and our community here in Townsville.’
‘We have a situation right now where Glencore is paying workers almost 15% less than neighbouring sites like Sun Metals for the same work. It’s simply unacceptable.’
‘The Townsville community is sick of billionaires profiting from our town and leaving nothing but the crumbs for workers and their families.’
Media contact: Zac Beers 0419 765 955
