Quarry workers win fair pay

---

BY JULIA WADE

Local concrete drivers and quarry workers have achieved a worthy victory, winning a healthier pay packet, better working conditions and guaranteed hours following recent strike action. 

Due to an agreed settlement on August 14, 20 Atlas Quarry employees returned to work after taking industrial action and picketing the Brynderwyn Hills site from August 2. The new working contract includes a minimum of $22 per hour for all employees, agreed hours of work and weekend overtime rates, as well as a meal and attendance allowance and life insurance cover. 

With their new pay to rise between $2 and $4 an hour, the deal aligns Atlas workers with the market rate and other employees in similar industries. 

FIRST Union Transport, Logistics and Manufacturing Division secretary Jared Abbott says the deal is what workers were asking for at the start of negotiations.

“It’s an extra $80 to $300 a week depending on the hours worked, it’s a big win that these workers worked hard to get,” he says. “Our members are very happy and we thank Atlas for recognising their value.”

Atlas general manager Shane Coutts, says that he is pleased an agreement with the Union members has been reached. 
“It’s good to have everyone back at work so we can move forward.”

Workers initiated the strike after pay talks over 10 months broke down on July 24. 

The pay deal agreement is a turnabout move for Atlas who refused to budge from their flat rate offer which was below the living wage, and required workers to be available for up to 88 hours a week. 

Atlas also issued employees with a lockout notice in an attempt to force workers to sign the unacceptable pay deal. The company’s treatment of their employees, reports of the owners apparent ‘lavish lifestyle’ and charging top price for concrete while paying workers low wages, ignited the local community, who rallied around the workers with supplies and a support fund. 

 Atlas Quarry dispatch supervisor Lorne Tito, an employee for 18 years, says everyone is relieved that a resolution has been reached and the financial pressure has eased. 

“We want to say a huge thank you to the local community, that showed such overwhelming support during the strike, it was humbling and we are very grateful,” he says. “Our morale was high… we stuck together and were in it for the long haul. It just goes to show; if your company isn’t treating you fairly and doesn’t value you, band together and say so.”
 

---