Safe fertiliser jobs a priority

Date: 30 August 2002

The Australian Workers' Union has lent its support to the merger of Incitec and Pivot, provided the companies commit to preserving manufacturing jobs.

AWU national secretary Bill Shorten said the AWU, which represents manufacturing workers at both businesses, would be seeking talks with Incitec and Pivot before the proposed merger was put to shareholders at a November meeting.

"We want an assurance from the companies that the merger will not affect our members' jobs,'' he said. "After all, it is the productivity and efficiency of our members that have enabled both companies to grow to the stage where merging the businesses will deliver them a 50 per cent market share.''

Mr Shorten said: "We seek a guarantee there will be no forced redundancies arising out of this deal. So far we have yet to get that guarantee.''

He said employees had a right to know the future of manufacturing operations, particularly in Victoria and South Australia where there could be potential double-up.

Mr Shorten said Incitec's industrial strategy of pursing Australian Workplace Agreements in its smaller Victorian operations was also an issue of concern that he would raise with both companies.

He said the merger, if done carefully, was a great opportunity to establish an Australian icon in the fertiliser industry.

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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