AMWU members at technology company NEC in Mulgrave, Victoria have successfully maintained their workplace conditions despite a company attack.

In October 2010, AMWU News reported on a move by NEC management to water down conditions in negotiations for a new union collective agreement. After AMWU delegates from neighbouring workplaces offered their support, the NEC membership campaigned to reject the company’s offer.

Site delegates Brian Miller and Matthew White said the members were proud to have fought off the company’s move to undermine their conditions.

“Less than half the workforce are union members, so it was always going to be tough.  But in the end the workers voted down NEC’s original offer.

“I think they recognised that having important dispute resolution mechanisms taken away was not in their interests. They started to question why the company was doing it,” Mr White said.

With the assistance of employer representatives the Australian Industry Group (AIG), NEC’s management had attempted to alter long-standing consultation procedures and dispute resolution mechanisms. They also sought to take away a clause allowing workers to be paid outstanding sick leave on resignation.

“We just wanted to get the agreement back to the way it was. AIG took the opportunity to water our conditions down. But we held them off. Now we’ve got an agreement we’re all happy with,” Mr Miller said.

According to AMWU National Industrial Officer, Darren Hanisch, the success of the campaign was down to a strong collective effort.  

“I get great satisfaction from seeing workers realise the power of collective action. The union members (also from the NUW, ASU and ETU) here stuck together. The solidarity shown by neighbouring AMWU members was terrific.

“Our members were able to communicate to their colleagues they were potentially giving away their rights.”

With a new union collective agreement now signed, site organiser Dave Vroland said the workers could look forward to a better future.

 “They’ve now got an agreement that will allow them to be truly represented by their union.  It gives them security and protection.“