ESP/Larberg/Belandra HEALTH & SAFETY DISPUTE   On Monday 11th November the employees on the mutton chain at Kyle Road stopped work over health and safety concerns.  Despite numerous complaints to management about the excessive speed of the chains with insufficient manning levels, the company had done nothing to fix the problem.   The following morning the delegate had organized for the Union's Assistant Secretary to attend the plant to negotiate with the company.  The Union was however refused entry, despite the fact that ESP, Larberg and Belandra had all signed an agreement in the Federal Court giving unfettered right of entry to Union officials in the event of a dispute.  As a result of the Company's intransigence the members were forced to have a meeting outside the works, with the result that the stop work continued pending developments in the Industrial Relations Commission on Thursday 14th and Friday 15th November.   It was reported to the Union that ESP's representative had rung members and sought to pressure them into coming to work, and had also sent members a threatening letter.  It was also reported that attempts had been made to get some of the beef floor employees to do the small stock chains work.  It is pleasing to report that not only did these members refuse to scab, but that on Friday they resolved to support the smallstock members and to stop work themselves.  The beef floor also had several serious health and safety concerns.   At the Commission neither Larberg nor ESP gave any sensible reason why the Union should not be permitted to assist its members, nor would they say why they continue to refuse to allow members to meet in their normal lunch rooms as has been requested time and time again.  It was obvious that as ESP and Larberg were unable to articulate a defence, they were getting instructions from a third party.   On Tuesday 19th November Commissioner Smith put forward a proposal that a meeting take place on the works to discuss all health and safety problems and that the Union Assistant Secretary Paul Davey,  the Works Delegate, a nominated WorkCover Officer, the Union's Health and Safety Representative from both the mutton and beef floor, and management representatives from Larberg and ESP should be at that meeting.    A written agenda is to be prepared by the Union listing our health and safety concerns and is to be given to the Company two days before the meeting.   It is important that all members inform their Health and Safety representatives, John Geir on the small stock floor and Dean Cheeseman on the beef floor, of all their safety concerns so that these can be listed prior to the meeting.Larberg and ESP refused to allow a general meeting to take place for a report back after the health and safety meeting, but eventually agreed that meetings could take place in the smaller smoko room on the other side of the canteen and that Union officials could attend these meetings.   A meeting was held on Wednesday 20th November outside the works.  A large majority voted to accept Commissioner Smith's proposal and to return to work. Union Membership There are still a number of workers at Kyle Road who have not rejoined the Union, especially in the boning rooms.  Forms for weekly deductions of Union fees are available from the delegates.  Anyone who wants to pay directly for a ticket can buy one from the acting Works Delegate Charlie Chircop.  The cost of a full ticket is $149.50 per half year, or $5.75 per week. Election of Union Representatives The Union has Health and Safety Representatives on both killing floors and Union delegates, but we need to elect representatives from the boning rooms and other sections of the works. History of Anti-Union Behaviour Members should be aware that within the Tasman Group of Companies, who really control the regime at Kyle Road,  there are individuals with very chequered histories when it comes to industrial relations.  One of the tactics is to offer selected employees cash money for overtime, particularly on Saturdays.  This was done on a regular basis at Brooklyn with some of the afternoon shift.  Another favoured tactic is to pay extra money to a few selected employees and to use those workers to push the pace of work and stop the majority from organizing a properly functional, representation of Union delegates. EMP Day Shift Since the fire at Brooklyn the EMP beef  boning day shift have had their work cut back from approximately 150 workers doing high tally nearly every day, to about 40 to 50 workers doing low tally often only four days a week, effectively cutting their wages in half.  Clearly the work that they should have been given had been transferred to the casual staff employed by ESP so as to avoid obligations under the Certified Agreement and use (in some instances at least) non-Union labour.   On Tuesday 19th November, the remaining Union members on the EMP day shift were sacked.  The Union is seeking their reinstatement through whatever legal options are available, and has obtained an injunction from the Federal Court to prevent this situation continuing. UNION MEETINGS   There are regular Union meetings   All members and prospective members should attend