Press release: National Distribution Union and the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union

Monday, 4 September 2006

Unions prepare for full injunction hearing next week

The National Distribution Union and Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union says that while today's injunction has not been granted the judge has provided time for a full hearing of the evidence next week.

The Judge issued his decision on the interim injunction on the request of the two unions in the Employment Court this morning.

The injunction relates to the alleged engagement of the Linfox logistics company by Progressive-owned companies to undertake the work of workers locked out by the companies.

National Secretary of the National Distribution Union Laila Harré says that while the union members will be disappointed that the operations have not been closed down by the Court in the interim the unions will pursue the matter in Court next week.

"The judgment confirms the basic principle of the section that people can not be engaged to do the work of the locked out workers," she said. "The Judge has acknowledged that evidence establishing who engaged who would be difficult for unions to gather in these circumstances. However he commented that with documentary disclosure before the trial the facts will be able to be established with a greater degree of certainty."

Meanwhile the Unions are turning their attention to a public support campaign aimed at raising funds to support workers as they enter the second week of the lock out.

"This employer does not want to negotiate a solution, it wants to win. It wants to win by forcing these workers to accept its demands through the brutal economic weapon of the lockout. The company's Australasian owners are powerful and have shown that they are prepared to invest heavily to get their way. It's time for the rest of us to show that we support the right of low paid workers to bargain and we can do that by making sure their rent is paid and their families are fed."

The union will launch an 0900 number "0900 LOCK OUT" (0900 5625 688) tomorrow morning to enable members of the public to make donations.

ENDS

Donations for the locked out workers can be made out to the National Distribution Union at 02-0200-0217968-00 with the reference "Lock Out".

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