TWU to seek support for strikes at Linfox Armaguard, P&O Trans Australia and Hanson Construction Materials over workplace agreements
By Brad Gardner | July 12, 2011
Linfox Armaguard, P&O Trans Australia and Hanson Construction Materials will all come under pressure to give into union demands for a new enterprise agreement.
Fair Work Australia has granted the Transport Workers Union’s (TWU) request to gauge support for strike action at the three companies unless new agreements can be reached.
The TWU will ask its members to vote on a number of actions, including overtime bans, indefinite stoppages and a ban on processing paperwork.
Linfox, P&O Trans and Hanson did not oppose the respective TWU applications.
A representative from Hanson failed to appear before Fair Work Australia during a hearing, but one of its logistics managers wrote to the industrial umpire informing it of the company’s position.
Commissioner Ian Cambridge says he is satisfied the TWU is trying to reach an agreement with Hanson.
“Therefore…FWA must make the protected action ballot order sought by the TWU,” Cambridge says.
The dispute between the union and Hanson applies to union members employed under the Hanson Metro Tippers Agreement 2009.