A lock-out of 40 workers at a warehouse in the industrial belt of the northern suburbs of Melbourne that has been going on for three weeks might be one of the first signs of an anti worker offensive by the new right wing Australian government. The workers at the A-Mart warehouse were wanting the right to collectively bargain, a modest pay rise after four years and better health and safety conditions. In response the company, locked the entire workforce out. Solidarity from other workers and unions is supporting the locked out workers. This dispute has to be seen in conjunction with moves to destroy the CFMEU, one of Australia’s most powerful unions, and a Royal Commission into union finances.
A lock-out of 40 workers at a warehouse in the industrial belt of the northern suburbs of Melbourne that has been going on for three weeks might be one of the first signs of an anti worker offensive by the new right wing Australian government. The workers at the A-Mart warehouse were wanting the right to collectively bargain, a modest pay rise after four years and better health and safety conditions. In response the company, locked the entire workforce out. Solidarity from other workers and unions is supporting the locked out workers. This dispute has to be seen in conjunction with moves to destroy the CFMEU, one of Australia’s most powerful unions, and a Royal Commission into union finances.
