Workers employed casually for up to 15 years at a lighting manufacturer in Melbourne have been made permanent after joining the AMWU.

Since joining the union twelve months ago workers from Eagle Lighting in Tullamarine have won a number of improved conditions and are now on their way towards their first union collective agreement. 

The workers, who make industrial lights for the building industry, first became interested in joining the union after AMWU organisers visited a neighbouring site.

"Initially there was some hesitation about joining. They feared they would be sacked or reprimanded, as previous workers had been during WorkChoices,” said AMWU Growth Unit Coordinator Paul Chirgwin.

“But they also had a lot of outstanding issues with their management. They were ready to take some action and the membership has grown from there.”

A reclassification exercise run by the AMWU found a number of workers were being significantly underpaid. After union action,  the company made back payments, some dating as far back as six years. A new pay scale was also introduced.

Site delegate Sharon Malone says after years of second-class treatment the workers are relieved change is afoot.

“Now we’re starting to stand up for ourselves. Eventually we’ll get everything we’ve been asking for. It’ll be a long time coming but we’ll get there.

“It took convincing for some of us to join. I never believed in unions and had never been in one.

“But then I thought, I’ve put up with enough for 22 years, it’s time to do something about it. So I joined and it’s proved to be a really good thing.”

Although the workers have made significant improvements on their conditions, according to Paul Chirgwin there is more to come.

“We are about to begin negotiating an agreement and we want to ensure the workers no longer have their hours arbitrarily changed on them.

“They have found their voice. They’re starting to recognise their rights and see that a better deal is possible.”