JETSTAR GROUND CREW TO STRIKE THIS FRIDAY
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he Transport Workers’ Union has vowed to challenge the Qantas-style sackings of union delegates and members at transport operator Border Express at a time when workers are exercising their legal rights to bargain and pursue protected industrial action.
The TWU is preparing an adverse action case akin to the high-profile Qantas illegal outsourcing case, in which workers were victorious in the Federal Court, the Full Bench of the Federal Court, and the High Court.
The case resulted in a $120 million compensation fund and a $90 million penalty against Qantas.
Border Express workers are paid 25% less than other transport workers at operators such as Toll, Team Global Express and Linfox.
On Monday, TWU members at Border Express voted 90% in favour of protected action in a ballot that gives them rights to pursue strike action in the coming weeks.
Delegates who have today received sacking letters are on the TWU Enterprise Agreement negotiation committee, which makes recommendations to union members about protected industrial action if negotiations with the company break down.
The union has written to Border Express demanding the company immediately rescind the letters to workers and engage properly with workers and their representatives.
Border Express is a large transport operator in retail supply chains, delivering goods for businesses such as Harvey Norman, Chemist Warehouse, The Good Guys, EB Games, Mitre 10, Honda and Lorna Jane.
TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said:
“This disgraceful conduct reeks of Qantas-style tactics to deny workers their legal rights to collectively bargain and pursue protected industrial action.
“Sacking workers to prevent them exercising their rights is not only wrong, it is illegal. The TWU proved this in historic win against Qantas’ illegal outsourcing, and we will challenge this using every avenue necessary.
“On Monday, Border Express workers sent a strong signal to the company with a 90% vote in favour of pursuing protected industrial action. If the company wants to prevent strikes, it should do so at the table with the rank-and-file negotiating committee – not by illegally sacking them.
“Border Express must immediately withdraw these letters, stop intimidating workers, and return to negotiations. If they do not, the TWU is ready to take every available step to defend our members.”