Workers at Tieman in Melbourne’s north are protesting outside their workplace against the company’s decision to let thirteen people go.

AMWU delegate at Tieman’s Thomastown plant, Frank Bonicci, said that the thirteen workers who lost their jobs were all active unionists and that the company has plenty of work, but was sending jobs off shore. 

“The company is now contracting the manufacture of barrels for tankers in Malaysia. Why is this happening when so many workers are losing their jobs in Australia?”

“Tieman promote themselves as an Australian company,” he said.

Mr Bonicci said that the Federal Government needed to act in regards to local content.

“These infrastructure projects are part of the stimulus package – the government should demand that companies must make things here to win the contract.”

Mr Bonicci said the company had also been hinting at terminating him since he defended the rights of another worker who the company wanted to sack.

“As a delegate, it’s my responsibility to stand up and defend members of the union. I don’t shirk from that but I fear that these redundancies are not just about the recession.”

Mr Bonicci said targeted workers had given between eleven and eighteen years’ service each to the company.

“Many of us have given loyal service. I have worked in every area and have done what has been requested of me.”

AMWU Victorian organiser Tony Mavromatis contacted the Federal Labor Member for Calwell, Maria Vamvakinou who has agreed to visit the plant today in an effort to meet with management.

“We have to do everything we can to try and save these workers’ jobs,” he said.