Qld wharfies stand with locked out Canadian workers | Green Left Weekly

Qld wharfies stand with locked out Canadian workers | Green Left Weekly

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Qld wharfies stand with locked out Canadian workers

Friday, March 9, 2012

By Tom Mitchell, Brisbane

Picket outside the Rio Tinto smelter in Alma, Quebec, where works have been locked out by management.

The Maritime Union of Australia and other unions organised an action outside Rio Tinto’s headquarters on March 5 in solidarity with Quebec workers who have been locked out by Rio Tinto since December 30.
Members of the United Steel Workers (USW) Local 9495 District 5 branch came to Australia to gain support for their campaign.
The dispute began over Rio Tinto’s decision to use more sub-contractors at the aluminium smelter in Alma, Quebec. Click here to see campaign actions.
The steel workers’ demands don't include a wage rise, but focus on ensuring more full-time jobs that are secure and have benefits.
A member told Green Left Weekly he had been working at the plant since he was 17 and has managed to obtain, through union action, a $35 an hour wage with health insurance and pensions. However, his son has been working as a contractor for only $14 an hour without any benefits.