The Collie community has been encouraged to put in submissions to a Senate inquiry into Corporate Abuse of the Fair Work Act regarding the Griffin-Lanco wage dispute with maintenance workers.
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The move comes after a delegation of Collie locals and Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) representatives travelled to Canberra to discuss Griffin-Lanco and the Fair Work Commission’s termination of the maintenance agreement with WA Senator Louise Pratt, Shadow Industrial Relations Minister Brendan O’Connor and Senate Inquiry into Corporate Abuse of the Fair Work Act Chair Gavin Marshall at Parliament House last month.
The group, led by Griffin Community Protest spokespeople Leonie Scoffern and Jane Beauglehole, AMWU State secretary Steve McCartney, lead organiser Glenn McLaren and AMWU member Paul Beauglehole, voiced concerns about the dispute’s effect on the Collie community.
Mr Marshall said the Senate was concerned about the ongoing conflict’s impact on the town and families.
“It was a very constructive meeting. It’s always interesting to learn how some of these disputes have a broader impact outside of just the workers involved, how it impacts, in this case, a whole town and community and of course that is of concern to the Senate,” he said.
Mr Marshall said the Standing Committee on Education and Employment had planned to visit Collie on February 2 and 3 to hold public hearings and meet community members.
He said the committee had written to Griffin Coal and invited them to appear in the first instance.
The group also addressed the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ leadership, who moved a resolution of support.
Mr McCartney said ACTU leadership were concerned by the implications for Australian workers relying on Enterprise Agreements.
“We’ve said all along that the Fair Work Commission got this decision badly wrong, and that the unprecedented decision to cancel an enterprise agreement in this way would send shock waves through our entire industrial bargaining system,” he said.
“However, I’m pleased to say our visit, especially Jane and Leonie’s powerful advocacy, has meant the Australian union movement understands how important this fight is for every Australian worker.”