Stephen Drill
    From: Herald Sun
    January 27, 2012.


Schweppes is trying to entice staff back. 

SCHWEPPES workers locked out for six weeks without pay over a roster dispute are being sent letters offering them a $5000 bonus to cross the picket line.   >:(

The offer is being made to the first 10 workers who sign up as the company attempts to divide workers to end the dispute at its Tullamarine plant.

Others who sign will get a bonus of $1000.   >:(

Struggling workers - facing mortgage payments, the Christmas credit card hangover and bills pouring in - said it was tempting, but they would not be able to face workmates if they took the money.

"You're between a rock and a hard place," one worker said.

"You've got to go back to work with these people, they're your mates, but it doesn't stop the bills coming in. I have a mortgage to pay."

People on the picket line, who have been locked out since December 15, said yesterday they would not take the company's offer.   :)

"Everyone is enjoying a holiday for Australia Day because of what people like us did in the past," one worker said.   ;)

United Voice, the union representing the Schweppes' employees, has not given hardship payments to strikers despite them sacrificing their wages. But no one has taken up the $5000.   :)

Schweppes could impose the proposed new 12-hour, three-day week roster on short notice during the busy summer period.

Workers would lose up to three days of overtime a fortnight, paid at double time, and the change would significantly disrupt childcare.   :(

Union assistant secretary Ben Redford said Schweppes had refused to discuss a compromise.  :(

Schweppes, owned by Japanese beer company Asahi, has continued to run the factory using management and casuals.

Schweppes said it wanted Fair Work Australia to arbitrate the matter, saying the union had refused to negotiate on a 12-hour roster.

we are in interesting times... it looks like these workers are now dependent on overtime and penalty rates.. to get  them through a week..

this to me is wrong somehow...these extras once upon a time were just that EXTRAS.. some thing of a boost now and then to the weekly pay... now its expected..and I am not sure thats right??

surely no one can demand OT and penalty rates...as the norm for a working agreement..

I don't think people can demand overtime.  However one certainly does expect penalty rates, for those that do decide to do overtime, and quite rightly so.   :)   

Penalty rate are only being paid the appropriate rate for the time being worked.

Employees have no right to expect overtime. If managment need overtime to be worked thay have to pay for it at the correct rate.

The employer should be able to introduce a roster change after negotiation on safety concerns.

In this case I would think the employees are wrong.

They should be aware that they can use the additional time in alternat casual employment to make up any shortfall and also understand that 12 hr Rosters are typically much less productive in nature and not suited to many types of work on safety grounds.

The employer would be in for a surprise with the overtime thing because of the natural but typically unbudgeted loss in productivity.

These employees are nuts.

They get to turn a 5 day working week into a 3 day working week without missing out on any pay.

That sounds like a dream to me.  I would rather work longer days for 3 than shorter ones for 5.

And what are they worried about, missing out on overtime.  Isnt that what effective management is about, not paying overtime because it costs more.

If they dont take it up, they are just being short sighted fools who will spend more time at work and not less.

Verge wrote on Jan 27^th, 2012 at 2:26pm:

That sounds like a dream to me.  I would rather work longer days for 3 than shorter ones for 5. .

Ambition my friend. Heard of it Verge?

Why do I work 6 days per week and weeks 7 days?

Think big picture. Why do I do it?
Why may these guys want to do it?

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Jan 27^th, 2012 at 2:29pm:

Verge wrote on Jan 27th, 2012 at 2:26pm: That sounds like a dream to me.  I would rather work longer days for 3 than shorter ones for 5. . Ambition my friend. Heard of it Verge? Why do I work 6 days per week and weeks 7 days? Think big picture. Why do I do it? Why may these guys want to do it?

Factory labour hands.

They are being offerred the chance to make their 5 day working week a 3 day one.

It has nothing to do with ambition, it has everything to do with bucking the establishment.

Yes a shorter working week, but 12 hour days.  I know what it is like to work 12 hour shifts.  It feels like you are living in the place.  OK, a shorter working week might sound good, but once it comes in, what about those that don't like working the 12 hour shifts, and remember not everyone will.   :(       

I know what it is like to work 12 hour shifts.


Now that is the joke of the year so far. Doubt it will be topped.  ;D ;D ;D ;D

blackadder wrote on Jan 28^th, 2012 at 7:00am:

I know what it is like to work 12 hour shifts. Now that is the joke of the year so far. Doubt it will be topped.

You ever worked rotating 12 hr shifts for a number of years BA?

Dnarever wrote on Jan 28^th, 2012 at 7:23am:

blackadder wrote on Jan 28th, 2012 at 7:00am: I know what it is like to work 12 hour shifts. Now that is the joke of the year so far. Doubt it will be topped.  You ever worked rotating 12 hr shifts for a number of years BA?

What I do or have done is my business. As I have said here before I don't put my private life all over the internet. No face book and no twitter.

blackadder wrote on Jan 28^th, 2012 at 7:29am:

Dnarever wrote on Jan 28th, 2012 at 7:23am: blackadder wrote on Jan 28th, 2012 at 7:00am: I know what it is like to work 12 hour shifts. Now that is the joke of the year so far. Doubt it will be topped. You ever worked rotating 12 hr shifts for a number of years BA? What I do or have done is my business. As I have said here before I don't put my private life all over the internet. No face book and no twitter.

I'll take that as a NO.

I was just trying to ascertain if you had any idea what you were talking about or not.

The conclusion is NOT.

Saying that at some time you had worked some shift type is hardly giving anything away.

I am happy to say that I have worked almost any shift arrangment you could name. It tells you nothing.

I respect your right to not divulge anything.

I'll take that as a NO.


You can take anyway you like as I don't give  a rats.

blackadder wrote on Jan 28^th, 2012 at 7:57am:

I'll take that as a NO. You can take anyway you like as I don't give  a rats.

Thats fine with me too. When I look back you havn't actually siad anything so I suppose you don't need any credability.