AWU steps up Alcoa permanency push

Date: 22 April 2005

The Australian Workers' Union has stepped up its push to increase the level of permanency at an Alcoa mine nursery in Western Australia after the outsourcing of several casual positions.

AWU WA Branch Secretary Tim Daly said Alcoa had decided to use a labour hire company instead of its regular casual staff to work on the Winter planting program at its Marrinup nursery near Dwellingup, south of Perth.

Mr Daly said Alcoa's decision was extremely disappointing because the AWU had successfully negotiated with the company over several years to employ many of the nursery workers as permanent part-time employees, instead of as casuals.

"The AWU has worked for many years to secure permanent employment for workers at the nursery so it is disappointing that the company now appears to be moving in the other direction," Mr Daly said.

"The AWU is arranging talks with Alcoa on a resolution that can provide greater job security, while recognising the seasonal nature of much of the work at the nursery. We have reviewed the business' needs and we believe that there is room for an increase in permanent employment."

"We want to work with Alcoa to build on the success of our previous permanent employment model that is compatible with fluctuations in the business's activity," Mr Daly said.

The AWU estimated that the equivalent of five casual positions could be affected by Alcoa's decision to outsource the usual Winter growing and planting work to a labour hire company. The nursery provides plants for the environmental rehabilitation of Alcoa mine sites in the area.

For further information

Contact:	Jeremy Vermeesch
Union:	The Australian Workers' Union
Phone:	03 8327 0888
Contact Mobile:	0431 942 977
Fax:	03 8327 0899
Email:	jeremy.vermeesch@awu.net.au
WWW:	http://www.awu.net.au

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