Cadbury Schweppes Lock Out

Date: 26 November 2000

CADBURY SCHWEPPES LOCKS OUT WORKFORCE
REPORT REVEALS HEALTH AND SAFETY PROBLEMS

The police reaction to the sit-in by Cadbury Schweppes workers came soon after a Melbourne newspaper revealed that the Victorian WorkCover Authority had ordered the plant to close because of an immediate risk of health.

" Police moved in - and we were given seven day lock out orders - soon after the newspaper report hit the streets," James Weissmann, organiser for the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union ( LHMU) said today.

Unionists have organised a workers protest - and will hold a media conference today (Sunday) at 1.30pm - outside the plant in Beverage Drive, Tullamarine.

Victorian WorkCover deemed that unqualified workers were operating the sensitive syrup room in possible breach of health and safety laws. The offences - if found proved - could cost the company a fine of up to $250,000.

Victorian WorkCover has scheduled another meeting for tomorrow (Monday) with the company to discuss the shutdown and the need for proper trained and accredited workers to handle sensitive work areas.

" The unqualified workers were brought in as union-busting strike-breakers. They were escorted onto the plant site in the middle of the night by security guards," James Weissmann said.

" They were both casual contract labour or management people. The company wanted to keep the plant open, but WorkCover had ruled that both the management people and the casual labour workforce were not qualified to work in the syrup room."

LHMU organiser, James Weissmann, said workers took industrial action after enterprise bargaining agreement talks with the company broke down.

Cadbury Schweppes has not produced or distributed any goods since Thursday, at a loss - according to the newspaper report - of more than a million dollars a day.

WorkCover issued the company with a prohibition notice on Thursday evening when it discovered unqualified staff in the syrup room.

The WorkCover inspector's report stated: "In my opinion the activity involves an immediate risk to the health and safety of persons because untrained and unaccredited employees have been operating at the workplace."

The report by WorkCover Inspector, John Davey, claimed the company had breached workplace safety laws and its own health and safety policies.

The syrup room is at the heart of the plant where aerated water is mixed with syrup and alcohol. The technicians working in the room must be skilled in handling toxic chemicals used to clean the area after production.

The LHMU proudly represents more than 150,000 hard working women and men throughout Australia.

For further info:

James Weissmann, LHMU Organiser 0417 357 553 Trevor Veenendaal, LHMU National Industrial Officer (h) 03 9576 5856

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