16 August 2004
MEDIA RELEASE
ATTENTION:
INDUSTRIAL/HEALTH REPORTERS
Strike in Richmond Fellowship this Wednesday
National Union of Public Employees (NUPE) members who work for private mental health provider Richmond Fellowship will
take strike action this Wednesday (18 August) in support of their claims for a fair and just collective employment
agreement.
“Talks with management this afternoon failed to resolve matters. Accordingly there will be a total withdrawal of labour
commencing at 1300 on Wednesday” said NUPE organiser John Kerr.
“Negotiations between the Combined Unions (NUPE and the Service and Food Workers’ Union) and Richmond Fellowship have
been going on since before Christmas. We are disappointed that the employer is sticking to their position of offering a
‘Clayton’s collective agreement’ that excludes minimum pay rates: in effect a zero pay offer. In the circumstances
members feel that they have no alternative but to take action” said John Kerr.
“We have given Richmond Fellowship enough notice to ensure that client and community safety is not compromised,” said
John Kerr.
ENDS