Shame file

Cochlear workers outside Joe Hockey's office.

Cochlear workers put focus on Hockey

The bionic ear manufacturer has used the Howard Government's WorkChoices laws to refuse the workers union representation at the negotiating table -- telling them they must accept new workplace contracts by November 6 or not to turn up to work on November 7.

AMWU NSW Branch Assistant Secretary Tim Ayres said: "Cochlear workers are angry that Joe Hockey is spending millions of tax payer dollars on an advertising campaign that claims no workers can be forced to sign an individual contract.

"Yet in his own seat Cochlear is using WorkChoices to force workers onto new workplace contracts against their will.

"Under the new workplace contracts workers will have their rates of pay tied to how many units they produce each month.

"Workers who have worked at Cochlear for more than 10 years could lose up to $80 each week if they can't meet the production targets," Mr Ayres said.

"Cochlear workers rejected these unfair working conditions in a secret ballot run by management just over two months ago.

"Now Cochlear managers are using a John Howard's unfair WorkChoices' laws to force their employees to accept these working conditions."

Darrell Lea faces prosecution

The case, before the Federal Magistrates Court was briefly heard before magistrate Philip Burchardt on August 20 before the case was adjourned for mediation by October 19. If the matter is not resolved the parties will return to court on April 7, 2008 for trial.

Wollongong Chilli's taken to court

Workplace Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson alleges that Chilli's Texas Grill failed to comply with workplace law when it made an AWA with a young worker who at the time was 19 years old and allegedly:

• did not provide the former employee with the required information advising a person of their rights when they are making a workplace agreement and, in particular ensure that they receive an information statement at least seven days before the proposed agreement was approved
• failed to ensure that the worker had ready access to the proposed agreement in writing before the proposed agreement was approved
• failed to lodge the AWA within 14 days of approval
• failed to advise the former employee of her core hours of employment and did not provide her with a minimum of 20 hours paid employment each fortnight.

On August 24 Magistrate Lloyd-Jones listed the matter for a further directions on November 30, with the matter listed for hearing on December 18-20.

Women lose out under WorkChoices

The report was commissioned by the National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW), WEL Australia and the YWCA Australia.

Contributor to the report University of South Australia researcher Dr Jude Elton said the findings show that for low paid women, WorkChoices was making it harder to match work and care.

"Greatly reduced job security is undermining their capacity to bargain for proper pay and conditions. Their working conditions have deteriorated."

The report, Women and WorkChoices: Impacts on the Low Pay Sector, presents the findings of in-depth interviews with 121 women working in retail, clerical, hospitality, aged care, child care and cleaning jobs across Australia.

The report sets out recommendations to address the negative impacts of WorkChoices, based on the comments with these women.

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Last Modified: 30 Aug 2007