8 years ago
Win for workers: Disastrous Aerocare agreement thrown out by Fair Work
ACTU President Ged Kearney
After a challenge from the Transport Workers Union the Fair Work Commission has thrown out an agreement proposed by Aerocare which slashed pay for ground workers at Australia’s airports,.
The proposed Aerocare agreement forced ground-handling staff to stay at airports between shifts to avoid the cost of commuting, with some spending 16 hours straight at work, while only working six hours.
The agreement paid workers more than a thousand dollars per month below the award. The TWU’s analysis shows:
- One employee working an average of 37 hours per week would have been paid $1,129 per month below the award;
- One employee working an average of 32 hours per week would have been paid $590 below the award.
- The Aerocare proposal was previously defended by Turnbull Government Minister Michaelia Cash, who wrongly rejected the TWU analysis and accused the TWU of running a smear campaign against the corporation.
- Quotes attributable to ACTU President Ged Kearney:
- “That companies like Aerocare think they can even get away with trying to secure an agreement such as this one shows the corporations are out of control.
- “The concept of workers being forced to live in their workplaces because they can’t afford to go home between shifts has no place in Australia, or in any country.”
- “This dodgy agreement fell well short of the award, was rushed through without proper process over the Easter weekend, without a legitimate ballot or scrutineers but still Turnbull Government Minister Michaelia Cash defended the company.”
- “It’s astonishing that when these problems were brought to her attention, the Minister so quickly opted to attack the union instead of standing up for what’s right .”
- “This is a great win for working people, and a great win by the TWU on behalf of their members. I welcome the TWU announcement that the union will now commence proceedings to recover stolen wages on behalf of members in Aerocare.”
- “We need to change the rules for working people so that corporations aren’t tempted to try this on again.” ENDS