Locked out Brisbane City Council electricians will return to work on Wednesday after management backed down on threats to introduce family unfriendly rostering in a new enterprise bargaining agreement.
ETU Queensland and NT Organiser Brenton Muller said 21 traffic signal electricians locked out of work without pay by Council since May 28 would return to work after Council withdrew the demand, which would have seen workers forced to work any day of the week, at any time.
Mr Muller said the demand would have had such an impact on the electricians’ personal lives that they were willing to sacrifice pay for more than two weeks to see it removed.
“Today council have collapsed under the pressure of these Members collectively fighting for their right to maintain their current working conditions under the threat of having rostering imposed that would have turned their family lives upside down,” he said.
“These Members have spent nearly three weeks on the grass fighting not only for their own rights, but the rights of more than 5000 Brisbane City Council who also faced the same attack from Brisbane City Council management.
“These electricians will return to work tomorrow as a sign of good faith, as they continue to bargain with Council on their enterprise agreement.
“All Council workers and Unionists can be proud of the efforts of these workers, in what is a win for the little guy.”
BCC’s backdown follows Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union Members’ giving notice that they would join the action on Wednesday, which would have seen a further 200 workers off the job.
Further information please contact: Brenton Muller 0428 392 935 or Dan Nancarrow 0448 633 858