A union picket line has been established against Dulux in Rocklea. The workers are fighting for two key elements: the payment of sick leave and for redundancy payouts to be uncapped.
Currently redundancy payments are capped at 20 years, reducing the payout for workers who have worked for Dulux for upwards of 35 years. The issue arose when, in March last year, 60 redundancies were announced. This was later reduced to 40.
When negotiations broke down, a picket was established by the workers and their supporters. Dulux responded by erecting barricades on council land, aimed at harassing the picket.
Negotiations resumed on January 19, but Tony Dickson, a United Voice delegate and Dulux worker for 18 years, believes the company must 鈥渁cknowledge those long serving members鈥.
United Voice has assisted the strikers with food, water and legal advice. Dickson says he is 鈥渢here to negotiate鈥 but 鈥渕anagement refused to negotiate over key terms鈥.
Dickson said the workforce at Dulux has 鈥渄elivered profits year on year 鈥 and for that we lose 40 jobs. We get a poor deal put on the table and [management] refuse to listen to some of our key claims, which are looking to benefit the loyal, longest serving of this company鈥.
Dulux CEO Patrick Houlihan received more than $3 million last year alone, excluding an interest-free loan, which he is not expected to pay back. Other executives receive similar payouts.
A worker of 30 years, who has been picketing every day, stressed that the workers are 鈥渏ust fighting for a decent payout鈥. He notes that they have been negotiating with the company since August and said on behalf of his working comrades: 鈥淲e think it's a fair fight鈥.
Despite recent floods, these workers have created profits for Dulux constantly for years. This is more than a fair fight, it is the only reasonable course of action for workers discarded by those they have made rich.
As another picketer, a worker of 23 years, said: 鈥淲e've been through three different owners and each has been worse than the last.鈥 Three different owners: one constant workforce.
[If you wish to support the picketers, you can join their line at 1519 Ipswich Rd, Rocklea. You can go to or the to keep up to date. You could also call Dulux customer service on 13 25 25 to let them know how you feel about this deal.]
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