AWU glass workers win job security

Date: 16 July 2002

Australian Workers' Union glass workers at Pilkington's Dandenong plant voted overwhelmingly this morning to return to work ending a five day stoppage after the company gave a commitment to job security and to bolster the role of the AIRC.

Weekend talks between the company and the AWU, with the support of the ACTU, ended the deadlock with the company also committing to resolve future industrial issues using the powers of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

AWU Victorian President Mick Eagles said the deal was a commonsense victory that snubbed the Howard Government's divisive approach to industrial relations.

"In contrast to the Federal Government's misguided attempts to diminish the powers of the Commission, this deal reinforces both parties' commitment to the independence of the AIRC and its ability to resolve industrial disputes,'' he said.

The AWU's Melbourne glass organiser Michael Borowick said job security was the key issue for Pilkington workers, especially as many jobs were shed in the past five years.

"Our members at Pilkington's have first class skills and many have devoted much of their working lives to contribute to the company's success and prosperity,'' he said.

The AWU will meet with its members at Pilkington's two Sydney plants, Ingleburn and Alexandria later today. The weekend talks averted industrial action at the two Sydney plants.

Talks between the parties will continue over the week to work through the fine details of the deal. Under the two-year deal employees will also get a nine per cent pay rise with the majority of the rise delivered in the first 12 months.

For further information

Contact:	Andrea Carson
Union:	Australian Workers Union (National Office)
Phone:	039 3298733
Contact Mobile:	0407 041933
Fax:	03 9329 2871
Email:	awu@iprimus.com.au
WWW:	www.awu.net.au

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