Service And Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota Media Release

10 April 2012

ATM Machines Empty After ACM Guards Strike

Frustrated by the lack of progress in their new collective agreement negotiations, security members employed by Australian cash-in-transit company ACM (Armaguard Currency Management), are taking industrial action today (Tuesday,10 April).

The strike involves around 40 Service and Food Workers Union (SFWU) members in Auckland and Wellington. The members collect cash from banks and fill up ATM machines, which are empty after the long Easter weekend.

SFWU advocate, Jill Ovens, said union members wanted to send a clear message to their employer that ACM should take the negotiations seriously.

“Our members have the power to shut down the banking system,” Jill Ovens said.

Jill Ovens said collective agreement negotiations took place in January and, after a two-month break, ACM arrived at mediation absolutely unprepared.

Wellington delegate Greg Kane said the mediation was a big let-down. “We outlined yet again our position on the outstanding clauses and then they asked us when we would be able to meet again,” Kane said. “It was all over by lunchtime.”

Jill Ovens said ACM sent a revised draft collective agreement to the union, but had made no movement on the key issues of pay rates, overtime and redundancy.

“The union team has made lots of suggestions to resolve the issues, including revising our pay claim, while ACM has yet to make a pay offer.”

She said ACM had hardened its position on other issues, such as how many hours make up a full time job.

“Some of our members have individual agreements guaranteeing as few as 30 hours a week,” she said. “This is supposed to be a full time job. Now ACM has said only new full time workers will be guaranteed 40 hours a week, but not existing union members. This is very provocative.”

Jill Ovens said other difficult issues include the employer’s desire to have a 90-day “sack at will” trial period, compulsory medical examinations with a doctor chosen by the employer, and random drug and alcohol testing.

Member Support 0800 UNION1 (864 661)
Email: lyndy.mcintyre@sfwu.org.nz

Web. http://www.sfwu.org.nz

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ENDS

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