"In a word - Rotten"
"I've been given the opportunity to say what it has been like as one of the workers locked out of Blue Ribbon for the last 18 months.
They say that they put us through all that we endured for more flexibility in the workplace. We were already working shift work without the proper allowance, double shifts if needed, starting any time from 5am to 10pm, and going home if machinery broke down and coming back and finishing our shift when it was fixed.
They asked if we would do a 12 month traineeship. Thinking it would help them with the government grant, we said yes. The reward for us was that we were sacked at the completion of it and given the choice to sign a daily contract or go quietly on our way. Well, that is when 19 of us showed some back bone and with a lot of help from our union, many other unions and mateship we took on the fight through the Commissions and the courts and we beat the pants off them at every hearing with just one decision to be handed down in the near future, which we are expecting to win in the name of justice.
They say winners and grinners, but not in this case. All I'm left with is mixed emotions, anger at Blue Ribbon and gratitude to all the people who helped us through it, especially family. Perhaps I will manage a grin when they have to let us back in. I hope that I speak for us all."
"I've been given the opportunity to say what it has been like as one of the workers locked out of Blue Ribbon for the last 18 months.
In a word, Rotten.
They say that they put us through all that we endured for more flexibility in the workplace. We were already working shift work without the proper allowance, double shifts if needed, starting any time from 5am to 10pm, and going home if machinery broke down and coming back and finishing our shift when it was fixed.
They asked if we would do a 12 month traineeship. Thinking it would help them with the government grant, we said yes. The reward for us was that we were sacked at the completion of it and given the choice to sign a daily contract or go quietly on our way. Well, that is when 19 of us showed some back bone and with a lot of help from our union, many other unions and mateship we took on the fight through the Commissions and the courts and we beat the pants off them at every hearing with just one decision to be handed down in the near future, which we are expecting to win in the name of justice.
They say winners and grinners, but not in this case. All I'm left with is mixed emotions, anger at Blue Ribbon and gratitude to all the people who helped us through it, especially family. Perhaps I will manage a grin when they have to let us back in. I hope that I speak for us all."
