Fairfax Facing Backlash Over Beresfield Closure

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Fairfax Media is facing backlash following yesterday's revelation it will close its Beresfield printing plant and share printing networks with Newscorp.

With up to 70 local workers set to be made redundant as a result of the closure, the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union is calling on the media giant to treat its printing staff with respect.

According to AMWU's National Secretary Lorraine Cassin, the Union last week received a document outlining a Deloitte study which showed closures would occur, but when Fairfax and Newscorp were approached by the Union regarding the rumours both companies vehemently denied the information.

"They've forgotten there are actually people behind those numbers," Ms Cassin told 2NURFM News.

"They're employees, and they're part of a community, and if they want their paper out there and to be read by the community then they should show respect for the workers and for the community."

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery has also responded to the news and is calling on Fairfax to reconsider its decision.

The MP says the already-struggling area doesn't deserve to lose another industry and she's concerned potential flow-on effects may further harm other local industries.

"Our local papers should be printed locally," Sonia Hornery said.

"It's time to support local jobs and our local economy."

Lorraine Cassin says Fairfax, in correspondence with the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, claimed consultation was underway, but the Union is disappointed this consultation didn't take place before the final decision was made.

"It's not consultation when you've announced you're closing the site, but now we'll come and talk to you about what that actually means," she said.

"I'm really disappointed on behalf of our members."

Fairfax has indicated to the AMWU that all employees affected by the closure will receive appropriate support and will be paid their full entitlements.

The Printing Plant at Beresfield. Image: Fairfax

All Work, No Pay

BY RACHEL STORER

The payment fiasco covered by 2NURFM on the 28th of February, continues for Tomago workers.

The workers are now in their sixth week without pay, and the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) is frustrated with the lack of action.

Lendlease was awarded the multi-million dollar RAAF Base Upgrade and have used Copal Engineering as a sub-contractor for the fabrication.

The AMWU have placed 12 out of 16 employees in casual employment and are still working hard to fully resolve the issue.

RAAF Base Contractor Chaos

BY RACHEL STORER

The RAAF Base at Williamtown is receiving millions worth of upgrades. Image: news.com.au

Close to 20 workers based in Tomago are owed more than five weeks pay after conflicts between infrastructure company Lend Lease and sub-contractor Copal Engineering.

The workers have been fabricating a new hangar to house F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, which is due to be delivered in late 2018 as part of the Williamtown RAAF Base upgrade. Lend Lease won the multi-million dollar contract in 2014 and has used Copal Engineering to sub-contract the fabrication.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) has strongly condemned this payroll debacle saying that workers are struggling to make ends meet and support their families.

Both Lend Lease and Copal are playing the "blame game" and the AMWU says even they are unsure as to who has full responsibility.

State Organiser of the AMWU, Cory Wright says that the Department of Defence should have stepped in by now as this project is being leased out by the federal department.

"Realistically the Department of Defence needs to involve themselves in this as it's a major infrastructure project for Australia which has national significance.

[They] need to play a role in ensuring all workers are fairly paid, so we're asking them to intervene as soon as possible to make sure these workers can put food on their tables and pay their bills," Mr Wright said.

Workers and Mr Wright are today picketing the work-site until this fiasco is sorted.

"We'll be picketing the site until we are able to get an outcome and get these workers paid," said Mr Wright.

"Some of these workers are owed up to five weeks pay plus a significant amount of superannuation [from] the last 12 months.

"It's not these workers fault that there's a contractor dispute, they're just caught in the middle and someone needs to act."