An Adelaide fitter and turner sacked for refusing to agree to arbitrary changes to his working hours will seek reinstatement in the Federal Court.

In June, AMWU member, Clifford Walkington, was notified his position at poultry giant, Inghams Chickens, would be terminated after requesting to be moved from an AWA (individual contract) onto the award.

Mr Walkington, a single father of two young children, had been forced onto a weekend roster by Inghams– despite his manager’s knowing his domestic circumstances.

He said the sacking came as a shock.

“I’ve worked at Ingham’s for the last four years. When I started they (management) knew I could only work every second weekend – they knew I needed to look after my kids.

“We had verbal agreement. Then they decided it was costing too much. I’m from the old school. If you shake someone’s hand and say you’ll do something, you do it.

“I’ve been a good employee. And now they turn around and do this to me. Tell me that the profits are more important than the care of my children. I think it’s just horrendous.”

Inghams Chickens describes itself as a “family company” on its website, but has lost touch with family values in this case, according to Mr Walkington.

“Big business needs to be held account. They need to recognise that their employees have got kids; they’ve got responsibilities. I can’t allow my children to be sacrificed.”

He said he wanted to his job back.

“Some people would walk away, but I’m not going to do that.”

AMWU National Secretary, Dave Oliver, condemned the treatment of Mr Walkington.

“At a time when Peter Reith and business groups around the country want to reignite the debate about workplace laws in Australia, this is a good reminder of why we need laws to protect fairness at work.

“An honest worker is sacked because he refuses to give up caring for his children on the weekend. It’s disgusting and it’s a reminder of the kind of industrial system Australia would find itself in if the Liberal government returned to office.” 

Under the Fair Work laws which replaced WorkChoices in 2009, workers have the right to have their family obligations taken into account.

Mr Oliver said the union would vigorously pursue the company.

“We will protect the rights of Cliff. His treatment is unfair, it’s unreasonable and our union will not accept this kind of conduct.”

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UPDATE: As of Thursday the 15th of September an out of court settlement has been reached between Inghams Chickens and Mr Walkington. This settlement has been reached on terms that are entirely satisfactory to Mr Walkington.