12 AUGUST 2005 SOMERVILLE RETAIL SERVICES On Thursday 11th August the Union met with Company representatives from Somerville Retail Services. The Union was represented by  AMIEU Secretary Graham Bird, Assistant Secretary Paul Davey and  Organiser Collin Ross.  The Company representatives were Mr. Paul Cook and Mr. Ian Dwyer. The Union explained that in the last few weeks a very large number of SRS workers had joined the Union.  The Company expressed surprise to hear that employees were unhappy with aspects of their workplace at SRS. The Union requested that Organiser Collin Ross be allowed to hold meetings of workers in their lunchroom so that all SRS workers who wished to attend would be able to do so.  The Union also suggested that Union members should be able to elect a Union delegate if they wished to do so.  The delegate, with Collin's assistance, would then be able to represent the workers. The Company said they would only allow this if the workers really wanted it and they would consult with the Company's Consultative Committee to ask them to find out from the employees if they wanted to allow the Union to have meetings in the lunchroom. Make sure the representatives on the Consultative Committee members know that you do want the Union to have meetings in the lunchroom.  This is a first step towards improving your conditions at SRS. The Union will be holding regular meetings to discuss the progress of any negotiations and will also be putting out newsletters detailing those discussions.  No decisions will be made without consulting members. A strong, united work force with everyone in the Union is the best bargaining tool you have.  The Union can also assist with WorkCover, health and safety, unfair dismissals and many other workplace issues. If you have any queries please call your organiser Collin Ross on 0417 593410.