NSW: Dispute ends at paint company Mirotone

AAP General News (Australia)
04-02-2001
NSW: Dispute ends at paint company Mirotone

SYDNEY, April 2 AAP - Workers at paint company Mirotone returned to work today after
six weeks on the picket line.

The interstate dispute over working hours ended last week when an in-principle agreement
was reached between the company and the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers
Union (LHMU).

Workers at Mirotone's two factories at Wacol in Brisbane and Revesby in Sydney were
locked out for six weeks in the dispute over working hours.

LHMU assistant national secretary Cheryl Hyde said the union had stood firm against
the company's push to end the traditional 35-hour week in the paint industry.

And she said today's return to work was a clear victory for decent working hours.

As part of the deal, workers won an 8.1 per cent pay increase over 19 months.

Sacked union delegate Ken Phillips was also reinstated to his job after being made
redundant during the dispute.

Mirotone managing director Don Dennis said the union had managed to preserve the 35-hour
working week and the company had agreed to defer part of a company restructure.

He also said some employees were signed on to individual workplace agreements.

"All in all it is a fair outcome," Mr Dennis said in a statement.

"It has been disappointing for Mirotone and all its managers and staff who worked so
hard during the dispute, that agreement between the parties took so long to achieve.

"And it is also disappointing that some of Mirotone's employees lost so much money
by choosing to remain on the picketline when in fact they could have chosen to return
to work at any time."

But Mr Phillips said workers had stuck together to maintain their working conditions
and the rights of union delegates.

"We stood together out on the grass for six weeks fighting for our beliefs and principles,"

he said.

"Companies should not think they can win a dispute, undermine a union, just by sacking
a delegate."

AAP nd/rp/gmw/br

KEYWORD: MIROTONE (CARRIED EARLIER)

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