Coles food distribution centre workers strike over pay, job security
July 27
ABC News

The workers want 150 workers to be made full time.

About 650 workers at a Coles distribution centre in Melbourne's west have gone on an indefinite strike demanding more pay and better job security.   :-?
Key points:

    Workers want $3 pay rise to $30 an hour
    Warehouse stores fresh produce, meat, dairy for Victoria, Tasmania
    Coles said millions of dollars worth of food could be spoiled

The workers at the Polar Fresh site in Truganina are calling for a $3 pay increase to $30 an hour.

The distribution centre stores cold items for Coles stores across the state and Tasmania, including dairy, meats and poultry.

The centre distributes fresh produce to Coles supermarkets in Victoria and Tasmania, but the grocery giant said it had made alternative arrangements to ensure the supply chain was not affected.

Curtly Tuala, from the National Union of Workers (NUW), said employees wanted greater job security.   :)

"We want a zero-casual site. We want a sense of security for the workers," he said.

"They deserve a sense of security because we know what it would enable the workers to do, looking after a family and your kids and providing for them."


Mr Tuala said employees who were casual felt constantly unsettled.

"It will give them the simple things in life like making a down payment on the house, simply things like taking their family to the movies, on holidays, those are luxuries that these members can't afford because of a sense of insecurity," he said.   :(

Coles said they had put alternative supply arrangements in place to ensure produce could still be delivered to its stores across Victoria.

However the company said in a statement that the NUW was engaging in "unlawful conduct" by picketing other sites set up by Coles to distribute the food.

"This is placing millions of dollars of fresh food grown and produced by Victorian farmers at risk of rotting and spoilage," the company said.

"Unlawful picketing of the contingency sites unrelated to the Polar Fresh dispute threatens to disrupt the distribution of fresh food for customers in Victoria and will harm other businesses unrelated to the negotiations."

The union is expected to meet with the company at the Fair Work Commission today.

Great start to Mal's latest incumbency as our illustrious leader....

Where is the conga line to comment on those thug Communist Shorten-led Unions who are the puppeteers for the Labor Party while being robbed by their Great Leaders? The Ghost Of Thommo is looming.....

Bastards just can't take being reduced in pay and conditions and facing the sack without valid reason... bloody working class just aren't what they used to be...

    July 27 2016
    The Age

Court orders workers to stop picketing cold storage facility that supplies Coles

 

Workers picketing at a cold storage warehouse that supplies Coles have been ordered to stop by a Melbourne court.

More than 600 Polar Fresh workers are striking, as employees, who say they have struggled with insecure work for years, negotiate a new agreement.

Workers picket a cold storage warehouse that supplies Coles on Wednesday.

Coles and Polar Fresh on Tuesday applied for court orders against the National Union of Workers over picketing activity at a Truganina warehouse.

Polar Fresh runs the warehouse and supplies to Coles.


Paul O'Grady, acting for Coles, said workers holding union flags were linking arms and standing across the exit at the site to stop Coles trucks exiting.

But they were also stopping Coles trucks gaining access to other contingency sites set up so business operation could continue, he said.


Those sites were unrelated to the Polar Fresh dispute, the court heard.

"This is a specific targeting of Coles trucks," Mr O'Grady told the Victorian Supreme Court on Tuesday afternoon.

"One can infer it is to apply pressure to Polar Fresh through Coles."

There was a risk fresh produce could be wasted, the court heard.

Justice Michael McDonald ordered the workers stop the picket action at the concerned sites by midday Thursday at the latest, and the matter will be revisited on Monday.

The union was not represented at the hearing as it was at a Fair Work Commission conference over the dispute, the court heard.

going on strike over job-security.

now thats a good one  ;)

aquascoot wrote on Jul 28^th, 2016 at 8:25am:

going on strike over job-security. now thats a good one

The lack of job security.

Got absolutely nothing to do with politics.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Jul 28^th, 2016 at 8:49am:

Got absolutely nothing to do with politics.

In order to change the Fair Work Act 2009, so that it provides better job security for casual employees, it would have to go through parliament.

The last time I looked, parliament was filled with politicians.

Quote:

Curtly Tuala, from the National Union of Workers (NUW), said employees wanted greater job security. "We want a zero-casual site. We want a sense of security for the workers," he said.

They are also striking for an increase in pay, but the striking over excessive casualisation is important. They are striking for rights that millions of Australians already have and take for granted - basic job security of full-time work.

Casual employees do not have job security and that brings a host of other problems - financial stress, an inability to plan financially, a lack of confidence to spend money and an inability to access loans. Casualisation is one of the causes of the economic stagnation that we are currently experiencing in Australia, and any efforts to put downward pressure on casualisation is to be commended.

Bam wrote on Jul 28^th, 2016 at 9:46am:

Quote: Curtly Tuala, from the National Union of Workers (NUW), said employees wanted greater job security. "We want a zero-casual site. We want a sense of security for the workers," he said. They are also striking for an increase in pay, but the striking over excessive casualisation is important. They are striking for rights that millions of Australians already have and take for granted - basic job security of full-time work. Casual employees do not have job security and that brings a host of other problems - financial stress, an inability to plan financially, a lack of confidence to spend money and an inability to access loans. Casualisation is one of the causes of the economic stagnation that we are currently experiencing in Australia, and any efforts to put downward pressure on casualisation is to be commended.

LOL

europe has very strict unfair dismissal laws and a strong principle of "job security"

It is currently unwinding this idea because it simply doesnt work.

If you want economic growth and employment, then the last thing you want is small business reluctant to take on a worker because the rules deem it to be almost a marriage leading to a painful divorce.

the more you casualise the work force, the more employers will hire and the better off everyone is.

Every other country recognises this fact.
Time the numptoids got on board with how an economy works or, as i like to say, time they came to grips with "reality".

the only security you have is being a good employee who brings value, in EXACTLY the same way the only security a business has is being good and bringing value.

You think blackberry management going on strike when apple brought out the I phone would have worked ?? :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

aquascoot wrote on Jul 28^th, 2016 at 10:17am:

the more you casualise the work force, the more employers will hire and the better off everyone is.

That is weapons-grade bullshit.

Employers DO NOT hire more. Employers do not hire staff they do not need.

The employees forced to work as casuals are WORSE off. They can't buy a house or even a car if they need credit, how can they be BETTER off?

aquascoot wrote on Jul 28^th, 2016 at 10:17am:

the more you casualise the work force, the more employers will hire and the better off everyone is.

This may go down as the most inaccurate, ignorant post you have ever made.

A big call, considering your previous efforts, but I truly think you have outdone yourself with this one.

I suspect you don't even know what casual employment involves.

In fact, based on your comment, I can guarantee it.

greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 28^th, 2016 at 11:12am:

aquascoot wrote on Jul 28th, 2016 at 10:17am: the more you casualise the work force, the more employers will hire and the better off everyone is. This may go down as the most inaccurate, ignorant post you have ever made. A big call, considering your previous efforts, but I truly think you have outdone yourself with this one. I suspect you don't even know what casual employment involves. In fact, based on your comment, I can guarantee it.

I can't believe you care about job availability and quality when you want to fill Australia up with desperate reffos who will do anything for peanuts.

Mr Hammer wrote on Jul 28^th, 2016 at 11:16am:

greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 28th, 2016 at 11:12am: aquascoot wrote on Jul 28th, 2016 at 10:17am: the more you casualise the work force, the more employers will hire and the better off everyone is. This may go down as the most inaccurate, ignorant post you have ever made. A big call, considering your previous efforts, but I truly think you have outdone yourself with this one. I suspect you don't even know what casual employment involves. In fact, based on your comment, I can guarantee it. I can't believe you care about job availability and quality when you want to fill Australia up with desperate reffos who will do anything for peanuts.

I'm all for reduced immigration, double plus good.

I think you've mistaken me for someone else.

Do you know what casual work involves?

If so, perhaps you could explain it to Mr Ed so that he understands how ridiculous his statement was.

greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 28^th, 2016 at 11:20am:

Mr Hammer wrote on Jul 28th, 2016 at 11:16am: greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 28th, 2016 at 11:12am: aquascoot wrote on Jul 28th, 2016 at 10:17am: the more you casualise the work force, the more employers will hire and the better off everyone is. This may go down as the most inaccurate, ignorant post you have ever made. A big call, considering your previous efforts, but I truly think you have outdone yourself with this one. I suspect you don't even know what casual employment involves. In fact, based on your comment, I can guarantee it. I can't believe you care about job availability and quality when you want to fill Australia up with desperate reffos who will do anything for peanuts. I'm all for reduced immigration, double plus good. I think you've mistaken me for someone else. Do you know what casual work involves? If so, perhaps you could explain it to Mr Ed so that he understands how ridiculous his statement was.

Stopping refugees is reducing immigration and you don't agree with that. Of course I know what casual work is. I've done plenty of it. It works for some people and not for others.

Mr Hammer wrote on Jul 28^th, 2016 at 11:25am:

greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 28th, 2016 at 11:20am: Mr Hammer wrote on Jul 28th, 2016 at 11:16am: greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 28th, 2016 at 11:12am: aquascoot wrote on Jul 28th, 2016 at 10:17am: the more you casualise the work force, the more employers will hire and the better off everyone is. This may go down as the most inaccurate, ignorant post you have ever made. A big call, considering your previous efforts, but I truly think you have outdone yourself with this one. I suspect you don't even know what casual employment involves. In fact, based on your comment, I can guarantee it. I can't believe you care about job availability and quality when you want to fill Australia up with desperate reffos who will do anything for peanuts. I'm all for reduced immigration, double plus good. I think you've mistaken me for someone else. Do you know what casual work involves? If so, perhaps you could explain it to Mr Ed so that he understands how ridiculous his statement was. Stopping refugees is reducing immigration and you don't agree with that.

There are other ways to reduce immigration.

Now, what did you think of Mr Ed's statement about casual work?

Do you think he may have his head stuck up the arse of one of his nags?

Would you like to explain to him how casuals have no guaranteed hours of work per week?

greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 28^th, 2016 at 11:27am:

Mr Hammer wrote on Jul 28th, 2016 at 11:25am: greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 28th, 2016 at 11:20am: Mr Hammer wrote on Jul 28th, 2016 at 11:16am: greggerypeccary wrote on Jul 28th, 2016 at 11:12am: aquascoot wrote on Jul 28th, 2016 at 10:17am: the more you casualise the work force, the more employers will hire and the better off everyone is. This may go down as the most inaccurate, ignorant post you have ever made. A big call, considering your previous efforts, but I truly think you have outdone yourself with this one. I suspect you don't even know what casual employment involves. In fact, based on your comment, I can guarantee it. I can't believe you care about job availability and quality when you want to fill Australia up with desperate reffos who will do anything for peanuts. I'm all for reduced immigration, double plus good. I think you've mistaken me for someone else. Do you know what casual work involves? If so, perhaps you could explain it to Mr Ed so that he understands how ridiculous his statement was. Stopping refugees is reducing immigration and you don't agree with that. There are other ways to reduce immigration. Now, what did you think of Mr Ed's statement about casual work? Do you think he may have his head stuck up the arse of one of his nags? Would you like to explain to him how casuals have no guaranteed hours of work per week?

What other ways? I'd never knock aqua because I like his posts. I personally like casual work. Not everybody want to be tied to a job.

Mr Hammer wrote on Jul 28^th, 2016 at 11:31am:

I'd never knock aqua because I like his posts.

His post on casual work was ignorant, and just plain wrong.

I can see why he would appeal to you.

Mr Ed doesn't seem to understand that casual employees have no guaranteed hours of work per week, yet he thinks that with a more casualised workforce "the better off everyone is".

This is foolish talk.

Also, casual workers are exempt from notice of termination periods.

They can be sacked with no notice.

Casual work might suit high-schoolers, but for others it's a form of limbo

How do they buy a home or rent, buy something on hire purchase if they can't prove permanent employment?

    July 28 2016
    Sydney Morning Herald

Farmers brace for losses as Coles blockades turn back trucks


   

Farmers fear they will have to dump truckloads of fresh produce and lose millions of dollars as striking workers block the gates to major Coles warehouses and turn back deliveries.

More than 640 workers at the Polar Fresh warehouse, which stores all the chilled food for Coles supermarkets statewide, have gone on strike indefinitely as part of a battle for better pay and conditions for the increasingly casualised workforce.

Workers picket a cold storage warehouse that supplies Coles on Wednesday.

But concerns have risen among Coles and its suppliers after union members established additional blockades at a number of Coles' back-up sites across Victoria, putting food deliveries at risk of rotting and becoming spoiled.

Werribee South vegetable grower John Said, of Fresh Select, said farmers were bracing for millions of dollars in losses as a result of the industrial action.

"Our trucks are being refused entry at the gates of the distribution centre ... even when we go to the secondary sites Coles has set up, the union are refusing to allow our trucks to enter," he said.

"We are losing hundreds of thousands of dollars through added transport costs, and we may need to tell our own staff not to come in because there is no point in harvesting produce that is simply going to be thrown out."


The Supreme Court on Thursday granted an injunction preventing the National Union of Workers and its delegates from illegally picketing a Clayton warehouse that is being used by Coles. It comes after earlier injunctions ordering that blockades be suspended at two of Coles' other "contingency" centres.

"We urge the NUW to abide by the court's decision and allow our suppliers to deliver their produce to our distribution centres, and our transport partners to deliver it to stores for our customers," a Coles spokesman said.

The union said its delegates and organisers were in meetings on Thursday night with Polar Fresh management to continue negotiations. And union officials have sent text messages to its members scheduling a mass meeting on Friday morning.

Polar Fresh workers and their union are fighting against what they say is a "model of under-employment", which leaves casual workers struggling to survive due to short shifts and unpredictable rosters. 

Montague Apples, which operates orchards in Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales, said the industrial action was dramatically slowing down the supply chain, and had the potential to affect the supply of fresh produce in the supermarkets the longer it continued.

"If the dispute escalates, it's not inconceivable that it could cause the end of supply," general manager of business development Rowan Little said.

It is understood that many other fresh and chilled food suppliers have expressed serious concerns about the impact on their businesses, saying they would be forced to dump produce, but would not speak publicly for fear of retribution from the union.

"We've got trucks stuck with loads they can't deliver, on the sides of roads with engines running so they can keep their fridges going," a source said.

Mr Said said growers were being "unfairly caught in the crossfire" of the dispute between the union and Polar Fresh.

"Even if we can find another buyer before the food goes off, we will be selling at a huge loss," he said. "And the food charities do not have the capacity to take this much fresh food at once."

Second Bite, a charity that redistributes surplus fresh produce, said it would work with Coles to ensure spoilage is minimised and that "this food gets to the people who need it".

PZ547 wrote on Jul 28^th, 2016 at 1:17pm:

Casual work might suit high-schoolers, but for others it's a form of limbo How do they buy a home or rent, buy something on hire purchase if they can't prove permanent employment?

Correct.

For kids who need a few hours here and there after school, it's fine.

If they don't get a shift for a few weeks, it's not the end of the world.

A different story for independent adults, though: if they don't get any shifts they can't pay the bills.

Mr Ed's comment on the casualisation of the workforce was A-grade bullshit.

Are the strikers in breach of the law?

bogarde73 wrote on Jul 29^th, 2016 at 4:57pm:

Are the strikers in breach of the law?

When the laws are anti-union or anti-worker, who gives a f%$k?

I certainly don't.

There is NO SUCH THING as an 'illegal strike' because the ones who think they
should have the right to make that call are the ones being struck AGAINST.

Kat wrote on Jul 29^th, 2016 at 5:20pm:

bogarde73 wrote on Jul 29th, 2016 at 4:57pm: Are the strikers in breach of the law? When the laws are anti-union or anti-worker, who gives a f%$k? I certainly don't. There is NO SUCH THING as an 'illegal strike' because the ones who think they should have the right to make that call are the ones being struck AGAINST.

Are they in breach of the law? Isn't the law there to ensure a fair outcome all round, including for instance for the producers whose goods are perishing?

bogarde73 wrote on Jul 29^th, 2016 at 6:32pm:

Kat wrote on Jul 29th, 2016 at 5:20pm: bogarde73 wrote on Jul 29th, 2016 at 4:57pm: Are the strikers in breach of the law? When the laws are anti-union or anti-worker, who gives a f%$k? I certainly don't. There is NO SUCH THING as an 'illegal strike' because the ones who think they should have the right to make that call are the ones being struck AGAINST. Are they in breach of the law? Isn't the law there to ensure a fair outcome all round, including for instance for the producers whose goods are perishing?

I feel 100% positive, bogie, that if the strikers WERE in breach of the law, you favourite news source would have it plastered all over their front page.

Newsflash:

The striking Coles workers have WON.