By Geoff Spencer
GEELONG — The E.P. Robinson Pty Ltd plant here is an amazing sight. There are glass panels missing from the skylights; a number of others are slipping. More than one worker has narrowly missed being hit by a falling panel. When it rains, it rains inside.
There are makeshift supports propping up cracking roof beams. The company's attitude to occupational health and safety is as antiquated as the late 19th century factory itself. This explains much of the determination of the ongoing strike by members of the Shearers and Rural Workers Union.
A part of the wool cleansing process involves the use of sulphuric acid to remove vegetable matter. Gordon Groves, one of the picketing workers, told 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ that management issues only paper filter masks to prevent inhalation of fumes — there are no exhaust fans. "The proper masks with goggles and respirators are locked away. The company is scared we'll pinch them."
Stephen Skinner, one of the SRWU shop stewards (and a former AWU steward for the last eight years, on and off), confirms, "You get home and blow your nose and all this black shit comes out".
Management's unwillingness to negotiate and the AWU's inability to represent its members led Skinner and Mick Magher (the other shop steward) to approach the SRWU. On February 21, almost the entire work force resigned from the AWU and voted to join the SRWU.
Two weeks later, the strike over recognition began. After the initial 24-hour stoppage on March 5, two fork-lift drivers were stood down, which sparked a mass walkout. Management and the AWU then went to the federal Industrial Relations Commission, which endorsed the company's position of threatening the workers with civil legal action.
On March 21, the 25 striking permanent employees were issued with termination notices. These workers and the 20 or so casual employees vowed unanimously not to give in to such intimidation by the company, aided and abetted by the AWU.
About 500 people attended an April 3 solidarity rally. A number of workplaces stopped work to attend the mid-afternoon rally, where they were addressed by speakers including Stephen Roach, SRWU general secretary, who attacked the collusion between the AWU leadership and the bosses.
Management then unsuccessfully sought an injunction to lift the picket line. The workers are enthusiastically maintaining their picket. An unfair dismissal case is going before the IRC on April 18. According to John Morgan, SRWU assistant general secretary, support for the workers has grown and will continue to grow as the word gets around what this dispute actually means.
Donations to the strike fund should be sent to the SRWU, PO Box 428, Ballarat 3353. For further solidarity actions contact 9329 1277 or drop in at the picket line in Geelong.