GET READY AUSTRALIA, HERE COMES HEINEMANN! : Melbourne Indymedia

This week has seen the arrival of Mr Helmuth Fischer, the managing director of Heinemann’s parent company CBI in South Africa. While contact has again been made with workers, negotiations continue to sit in a puddle.

The sticking point for management seems to be the unwillingness to respect the majority of their workforce’s decision to be represented collectively by the Electrical Trades Union (ETU). Mr Ross has pulled out of many talks on the basis that union organisers were present, who he claims is hijacking his workforce and manipulating their demands. There appears to be a strong desire from Mr Ross to speak to the workforce delegates alone, although not without his own legal entourage.

The protest line remains peaceful, even after multiple incidents of protesters being hit by staff cars. Two protesters were hit when the in-house delivery driver was exiting the driveway, (and it should be noted that this was while the protesters were moving out of the way). In another incident, a senior member of management barrelled through the gates, resulting in a female visitor to the site landing on the bonnet of his car. This member of management is the same one responsible for hiring Mr Peter Campbell in the Brisbane office, mentioned in several news articles relating to neo-nazi activities. Another member of senior management had a close call when speeding out of the company gates, narrowly missing a pedestrian.

The most common response workers receive from customers attending the site is that they too are frustrated with Mr Ross’ actions. The requests of the workers are not unreasonable (ie. to be paid for the five days they worked; protection of entitlements; the address of outstanding OH&S issues; the cessation of workplace bullying), but these requests are falling upon deaf ears.

Several groups of striking workers have been invited to travel interstate to speak of their plight to fellow union members, and will leave later this week. An appropriate question may be whether Mr Ross’ realises the bulk of his customers are also members of the same union he refuses to deal with.

As always, we continue to express our thanks for the voices of support. Please continue honking as you drive past (the offices are right there on the main road length of the building, so your voice is definitely heard), and many thanks for the donations that continue to strengthen our resolve. A special thanks to the lolly lady if you’re reading. Your spontaneous gift truly lifted our spirits.

If you are in the area, please feel free to show your support by visiting the protest at 821 Springvale Rd, Mulgrave.