Media Release: Dairy Workers Union
Thursday October 1, 2009.

Dairy workers disappointed by second Employment Court decision

The Dairy Workers Union says it’s disappointed by some aspects of an Employment Court decision released tonight and will consider appealing it.

Last Friday the Employment Court found that the lockout of Open Country Cheese workers was illegal, but had reserved its decision over the use of replacement labour. 

“Clearly we are disappointed that the Court has found that the Open Country Cheese’s use of workers from Open Country Dairy, a separate company, is not unlawful,” said James Ritchie, National Secretary of the Dairy Workers Union.

“The decision has just come out and we are having a good read of it overnight and will consider our options including whether to appeal.”

“This decision doesn’t alter the fact that the parties still need to negotiate a fair employment agreement.  Open Country Cheese have so far refused to consider a collective agreement and union representation, which is a right workers have, and this needs to change for us to make any progress.”

“The decision also does not change the fact that Open Country Cheese has refused to obey last Friday's Court injunction, and is still illegally locking out workers.”

Ends.
 

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