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Radio Rentals used Howard’s new laws to sack union reps and then locked their workforce out when they wouldn’t sign individual contracts.
Radio Rentals are the ugly face of Howard’s laws in South Australia and all workers have a stake in defeating them.
If they get away with this it will send a green light to other employers.
Pressure must be applied to Radio Rentals.
How you can help the victimised workers.
- Support protest action outside their stores.
- Tell them what you think about the way they treat their workers. For phone mumbers and addresses of stores check out their website http://www.radiorentals.com.au
- Don’t shop at Radio Rentals and encourage everyone you know to take their business elsewhere.
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BACKGROUND:
"Once these changes have been implemented most Australians will look back on the criticism and objections that have been made about them, with a sense of bewilderment."
Howard, December 2005
Howard's unfair work laws are now six months old and the
stories of them being used to cut pay and conditions and
sack workers are piling up. This was completely
predictable. It is what the laws were designed for after
all.
Wayne Avion worked as a technician for Radio Rentals for
over 30 years. His role as the union delegate had become
difficult in recent years as the company adopted a mean
attitude towards staff.
Workers hadn't received a pay rise for three years as
the company stalled negotiations on a new agreement.
Speculation grew among the workforce that the reason for
the delay was to take advantage of the new laws. After Howard pronounced them law in March, Radio Rentals had
the old enterprise agreement cancelled and conditions
reverted to those contained in the award. Particularly
affected were redundancy provisions. For a loyal, long
serving employee like Ray the entitlement was slashed
from $ 98 000 to $ 14 000.
When a meeting was called for a recent Wednesday morning
all the talk was that AWAs would be the order of
business. This turned out to be correct but there was
more. At 4.30pm the day before the meeting Wayne was
summonsed to the office and sacked on the spot in
accordance with the 'Workchoices' legislation.
"I was made to feel like a criminal," he says. "I was
escorted off the premises without so much as a thankyou
for 30 years service."
Radio Rentals' low actions are a perfect illustration of
the behaviour encouraged by the new laws.
All the talk of last year about what was to come was not
'scaremongering'. Now with the treatment being dished
out to people like Wayne Avion everyone can see for
themselves.
Manufacturing Workers Union members in Radio Rentals are
not taking the situation lying down. At a recent rally
outside the Propect store they burned the AWA offers and
have voted in favour of strike action.
As the face of the campaign, Wayne Avion does a good job
of getting around and explaining the issues to the
public. Along with his colleagues at radio rentals he
deserves the support of all workers in this important
fight.
These workers need support to win justice at Radio
Rentals. A victory would send a message to all employers
that attempts to use Howard&'s laws will be met with
fierce opposition.
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Howard's unfair work laws are now six months old and the
stories of them being used to cut pay and conditions and
sack workers are piling up. This was completely
predictable. It is what the laws were designed for after
all.