Published: 1 Sep 2010
The Australian Transport Union Federation (ATUF) will today hold a protest outside the UPS depot in Botany to support and ITF international day of action against the company after it intimidated and sacked workers in Turkey.
Newly elected ITF president and national secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia, Paddy Crumlin, said that 157 workers had been sacked since April in an attempt to de-unionise the workforce.
"Here we have a multi-national corporation making millions of dollars a year while workers are forced to work up to 80 hour weeks for a paltry wage," Mr Crumlin said.
"There are reports coming back to the ITF telling us that management has used firearms on a picket line in Izmir. This is disgraceful conduct and unions around the world are sending a message today that this behavior will not be tolerated," Mr Crumlin said.
The Australian protest is kicking off a day of action across the globe with Transport unions in the USA, Netherlands, Hong Kong, South Africa and Argentina confirming their protest actions.
ITF Vice President and TWU national secretary, Tony Sheldon, said that the intimidation and bullying by the company was not acceptable.
"We are seeing drivers in Turkey finish their days work and get directed on an overnight trip to other major cities throughout the country," Mr Sheldon said.
"There are drivers getting their pay docked if they stop for a toilet break - these pressures can only lead to unsafe working practices and deaths on the roads, and that is a major concern.
"The management and employees of UPS in Australia needs to be aware of what is happening in other parts of the world. These workers need to be reinstated immediately and we will be sending the message up the management structure that the actions can't be condoned and need to be stopped," Mr Sheldon said.
TUF's membership includes the Rail Tram and Bus Union, the Maritime Union of Australia and the Transport Workers Union of Australia.
The International Day of Action will start at 11.30am to 12.30pm TODAY, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 1, at Building 3, 14A Baker Street Botany, NSW. Paddy Crumlin and Tony Sheldon will both be attending.
