Sacked MMP Bootle workers lobby Austrian embassy
Unite trade union official Tony Burke joined his members on the front line on Friday to step up their fight in an increasingly bitter lockout dispute with a multinational packaging company.
Workers from Mayr-Melnhof Packaging in Bootle - one of two lockouts being fought by rank-and-file workers on Merseyside - were in London asking the Austrian embassy for support.
The Vienna-based company originally wanted to axe 49 staff at the 170-worker factory but now all 149 non-management and admin staff have been formally sacked.
Unite assistant general secretary Burke joined the group of about 25 workers who had travelled down, plus around 10 Unite supporters outside the embassy in Belgrave Mews West to greet staff.
He delivered a letter from Unite general secretary Len McCluskey to ambassador Emil Brix as part of the campaign to end the lockout and get the workers reinstated.
Unite called for ambassador Brix to use his influence with the Austrian government to urge MMP to reopen talks with Unite.
The workers, who have been mounting a three-shift, 24/7 picket line outside the factory, have received letters telling them of the company's unilateral decision to sack them and keep the factory gates closed.
"These letters are nothing short of disgraceful," Burke said. "Our members are infuriated that during an imposed lock out, management has decided this will happen. For several weeks, MMP has refused to even talk to us. They have treated their workforce like dirt. Our members are protesting against the closure and the outrageous and intimidating behaviour by MMP management."
Burke was joined by Phil Morgan, Unite's regional officer who has been in the forefront of the Bootle fight.
Workers obviously wanted to make a serious point but they raised smiles among passers-by when some members dressed up as breakfast cereal characters Tony the Tiger, Coco Monkey and Cornelius Rooster.
Usually workers are producing the packaging that holds some of the nation's favourite cereals made by food giant Kellogg's, including Frosties, Rice Krispies and Cornflakes.
Kellogg's was the biggest customer at the factory.
The bitter dispute escalated recently when four men who had been victims of a "kangaroo court" were summarily sacked.