News

Packaging workers from Sydney’s west have banded together as AMWU members to protect their conditions and end workplace intimidation. 



The workers at Austcor Packaging, who were recruited by the AMWU NSW Growth Unit late last year, will now prepare their first union collective agreement.



Delegate Allan Truong said he and his 45 colleagues were motivated to change the atmosphere between the shop floor and management.  



“Under previous management, everything was running well. Everyone was looked after. But since then things have started changing.



“Now we are spoken to disrespectfully, we no longer have a uniform supplied and our tea breaks have been taken away – we have our breaks at our machines.”



Mr Truong said the decision to stand up and join the AMWU wasn’t an easy one as many workers were intimidated about the consequences of joining a union.



“I was scared I would be sacked…but they’ve pushed me to these limits and now I’ve got nothing to lose.



“We’ve got to fight for our rights, we’re making money for them and we’re supposed to get something back,” he said. 



He along with the other workers fear Austcor’s management will look to undermine pay and conditions in the next agreement, due to expire next year.



However, as an organised AMWU collective, the members will seek to protect existing conditions, establish an equal pay structure across the shop floor and reinstate the company-supplied uniform policy. The members also plan to fight for an improvement to occupational health and safety.



NSW Growth Unit organiser Cuong Ngyuen said he was pleased with how quickly the workplace had transformed.



“We now have 100% membership. We’ve elected delegates for the morning and afternoon shift and last Friday we had a BBQ to celebrate. It’s been a great outcome."



Contact Email: david.gibney [at] amwu.asn.au