Detention centre want silent guards

Date: 24 June 2003

The company operating the Villawood Refugee Detention Centre is trying to punish detention centre officers, because they visited Parliament House to speak about the detention centres.

" Our members went to Canberra last week to speak to the Minister, Mr Ruddock, and politicians from all parties, about the crisis in our detention centres," Jo-anne Schofield, LHMU Assistant National Secretary, said.

" The US multinational operating the centres obviously doesn't believe that workers should have a democratic voice to speak out about problems because each one of the union members who went to Canberra is now being harassed by their employer.

" We live in a free society in Australia where we can openly express our opinions.

" An American company - with American values about how they treat workers - should not try to impose foreign ideas about workplace rights on Australian citizens.

" The tone of the letters they have sent to our members is ugly. We have gone to the Industrial Commission and declared an industrial dispute to defend the rights of our members," Ms Schofield said.

The dispute will be heard by Senior Deputy President, Anne Harrison in Sydney on Monday.

" We believe the Commission will quickly tell the company they can't behave in this way in Australia," Jo-anne Schofield said.

" Australians have a right to consult with all political parties represented in our democratic institutions - that's why we talked to the Government, the Labor Party, the Democrats and the Greens.

" We put to them our concerns about a proposed inquiry into Woomera detention centre - and discussed the problems with the hand over of the private sector contract at these centres."

The LHMU proudly represents around 130,000 hard working women and men throughout Australia

For further info: Jo-anne Schofield, LHMU Assistant National Secretary, 0425 242 684

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