Unions NSW secretary John Robertson said the workers at the Lane Cove manufacturing plant were being denied the right to choose to be represented by their union in wage negotiations.
"An overwhelming majority of the 300 mainly female migrant workers have indicated their preference to be represented by the AMWU (Australian Manufacturing Workers Union)," Mr Robertson said in a statement.
"Despite this, Cochlear will tomorrow force them to vote on a non-union agreement that removes family friendly provisions among other rights at work."
Mr Robertson said the workers had already voted against the company's non-union agreement once but Cochlear was demanding a second vote to exclude unions.
"The example of Cochlear workers clearly shows how the prime minister's Work Choices laws actually prevents choice in the workplace," Mr Robertson said.
"In the case of these workers, they have clearly stated their choice for union representation, but the company has just ploughed on with an anti-union agenda.
"These are vulnerable workers, many of whom speak limited English and they joined the union so that their rights at work would be protected.
"Mr Howard's laws have taken away their advocate in the workplace and tipped the balance too far in favour of the employer.
"These workers love their jobs and are proud of the good work Cochlear does - all they want is for their choices to be respected."
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