Cochlear shareholders and board members will get an unexpected dose of the federal election campaign today as workers from the Cochlear manufacturing facility in Lane Cove bring their campaign for union representation to the AGM floor.
“Cochlear workers have voted again and again to have the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union represent them in wage negotiations but under WorkChoices they have been given no choice,” said Tim Ayres, NSW Assistant Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union.
The company is refusing to negotiate a union collective agreement and the mainly female migrant workforce have been told they must accept individual contracts by November 6 or not to turn up to work on November 7.
“It is astounding that Cochlear would be so quick to negotiate massive pay rises with its board members as announced at today’s AGM but deny its workers the same right.
“Our call to Cochlear is to explain to shareholders why they have one set of rules for its high powered directors and another for its workers on the production line helping the company reach record profits every year.
“Today’s proposal to shareholders to increase the maximum remuneration for board members from $500,000 to 1500,000 smacks of hypocrisy.”
more
No comments:
Post a Comment