Coles' warehouse workers support grows

After another meeting with management and the NUW today, members voted down an adjusted offer from Toll. There has been some movement, however the key demands have not been addressed, including shift loading for arvo and night shift and RDOs for day shift. These conditions are standard across the industry and Union members made their voice heard today in rejecting this second offer from management since the strike began ten days ago.

The amazing support from unions and community supporters has helped put pressure on management and Coles to fix this and get workers back to work with equal rights. The picket will continue over the weekend and your continued support will make all the difference.

The NUW will be meeting with management over the weekend and hope for further progress. If negotiations are still locked, the NUW and management will be in Fair Work Australia on Monday morning for conciliation.

Members at the Coles warehouse in Somerton have been amazed at the continued support from the union movement and community at large. In the NUW VIC – COLES RELIEF FUND as of this morning unions and community supporters had donated $21,018.37. With more donations to come today, including from the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and $10,000 from NUW Oil and Gas Members at Mobil the members have a fighting fund of over $35,000.

Thanks goes to:

Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union
Australian Nursing Federation
Electrical Trades Union
Communication Workers Union
The Plumbers Union
Australian Workers Union
United Firefighters Union
United Voice
Maritime Union of Australia
National Tertiary Education Union
Australian Services Union Victorian Private Sector Branch
Media Arts and Entertainment Alliance
Professional Footballers Association
Australian Education Union
Health and Community Services Union
Australian Services Union Vic Tas
Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australian
Community and Public Sector Union (PSU)
Rail Tram and Bus Union

And community groups, organisations and individual supporters that have donated, come down to the picket and signed the petition.

Coles can fix this, they can force their contract labour hire team to give workers equal rights for equal sites. If you are visiting a Coles store over the weekend, you can spread the message with the attached flyer.

If you want to ensure we live in a country where some workers can't be treated like second class citizens then please donate to support the workers and their families.

Account Name: NUW Vic Coles Somerton Relief Fund
BSB Number: 063 074
Account Number: 10014540

In unity,

Keelia Fitzpatrick
Youth Officer
Victorian Trades Hall Council
T 9659 3552  I  M 0421 576 481  I  F 9663 2127