Heinemann Electric Dispute Into Third Week : Melbourne Indymedia

I visited the Heinemann Electric [icket line in Mulgrave yesterday. There I found workers maintaining their picketline - now into a third week.

The spirit of the strikers was still strong as was their sense of indignation at their bosses stubborness in still refusing to meet their moderate and just demands. Outstanding issues including receiving compensation for the loss of a weeks pay when Heinemann under advice from Freehills law firm told them that it was illegal to pay them for the week they had instiuted voluntary overtime bans. Although there has been movement in the negotiations on a number of issues the company was still holding out on a number of union demands over pay rise rates and protection of entitlements.

Production in the factory is continuing but only at a very small proportion of its capacity. The effectiveness of the picketline and strike in reducing the companies production was heartening for the 46 workers on strike. Other workers such as drivers have generally respected the picket since it began. The level of support and solidarity received by the ETU and other unionists including an ongoing strike fund was also sustaining the strikers in their struggle. The workers were very clear that they were struggling on behalf of all Australian workers and if Heinemann could get away with their radical interpretation of the IR laws then other workers would soon be in the firing line. It was inspiring to see the strikers faith in the belief that Unity will bring victory.
So I just wanted to post this story to let people know the strike was still continuing down in Mulgrave and to say how inspired I was by their strength and determination.

So why not go down to the picketline and say hello at 821 Springvale Rd. Public transport is an option with the 888 and 889 busline stopping outside the factory. The 888/889 lines are also accessible from the Frankston, Glen Waverly and Belgrave/Lilydale railway lines. Visit the ETU link below to see how to make donations to the strikefund.

http://www.etu.asn.au/members/heineman.html