Transport Workers Unite - UPS Protest

The Australian Transport Union Federation (ATUF) held 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 behaviour 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.

Produced by Jamie McMechan and Zoe Reynolds Maritime Union of Australia - Film Unit.

http://www.mua.org.au

http://www.itfglobal.org

http://www.ituc-csi.org

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[buroilu]

they are Australian?

[costy1511]

The UN Declaration for Human Rights states:

Article 23.

(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.

(2) Everyone... ...has the right to equal pay for equal work.

(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration...

(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

International companies need to apply international rules.



[Metro400]

Keep up the great work TWU. Proud that you are a member of the Transport Union Federation. Unions united will never be defeated !!. Great to see support of our overseas transport workers. Proud TWU member.

[binhthanhvo]

Nice to see some unions still practice internationalism and solidarity. Bosses in all countries are trying to break unions and actions like this are very important. We in America salute you!