8 May 2012

Talley’s AFFCO Refuses lifting of lockout

A proposal today that Talley’s AFFCO may unlock workers slowly over the next month providing the union lift the strike notice immediately is disingenuous and designed by the company to get the labour it needs in the short term without committing to resolve this dispute, Dave Eastlake Meat Workers Union Secretary said today.

Talley’s AFFCO put a proposal to the union today that placed completely one-sided conditions on the lifting of the lockout such as whether AFFCO believes “significant conclusive progress has been made” in facilitation/bargaining. Their proposal would also let them pick and choose workers to return to work with the last workers not returning until 1 June and only then if AFFCO determined its conditions had been met.

“We went to mediation today to try and make some progress on getting a fair collective employment agreement and on agreeing a return to work. The demand by the company to change provisions in the agreement that would allow the unilateral reduction of pay, remove employment security season to season, and allow unjustified dismissals without grounds are simply unacceptable and not what any reasonable employer would demand. The imposition of the harshest form of lockout shows a disregard for the wellbeing of these workers and their families,” Dave Eastlake said.

The Union stated that it is prepared to continue discussions on an acceptable timetable to lift the lockout and the strike that is based in a genuine attempt to settle this dispute, and will lift the strike if the timetable and conditions of lifting the lockout are reasonable.

“We will report to members tomorrow and will attend facilitation on Friday and other days set down.”

At facilitation on Friday the Union wants to discuss a reasonable proposal for a return to work as well as claims in respect of a new collective agreement.

“We are extremely disappointed in the outcome of today’s mediation,” said Dave Eastlake.

ENDS

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