Workers at one of Australia’s largest and richest laboratory testing companies are fighting to raise pay and conditions through their latest collective agreement bargaining process.
AMWU TSA Assistant National Secretary, Anne Donnellan, said taking into account the average working week, members at Australian Laboratory Services (ALS) remain some of the lowest paid in the industry - despite record company profits.
“Whilst the package of the company’s CEO increased by 50% in the last financial year, workers remain significantly worse off compared to employees at similar workplaces.
“Their penalty rates are less, they have no provisions for parental leave and they are required to work across a seven day a week roster.”
In May, ALS’s parent company, Campbell Brothers, revealed a record financial result with a 75.6% increase in net profit - with additional growth predicted in the financial period 2011-2012.
An AMWU member who did not wish to be named said workers want parity with other workers in the industry.
“It’s not unusual for us to work up to two hours overtime. However, we aren’t entitled to overtime pay unless we have worked more than 10 hours per day.
“Penalty rates are calculated on a fortnightly basis. It’s a complex system - essentially no one gets paid penalty rates unless they work a weekend.”
She said the company’s classification system also needs to be reviewed.
“Our pay and classification system doesn’t meet the award. That would have to be one of the biggest gripes.
“The best comparison would be Ecowise (now also owned by ALS). Their overall package is much better than ours. We’re at least asking for the same benefits that they’re getting.”
Ms Donnellan said ALS, with sites across Australia and thousands of employees, had facilitated an employee negotiating committee in the lead up to new collective agreement negotiations.
However the company had insisted its own HR department be allowed to interfere in the process.
“Instead of allowing the employees to independently put together a list of bargaining claims, the company’s senior HR representatives are collating them and then plan to forward these to senior management. Only then has ALS said it will commence bargaining with the union which is the only bargaining representative on behalf of ALS employees.”
“The union is ready to bargain in good faith with ALS - however the employer has put this unusual process in place.“
She said the union was hopeful it could secure an improved deal for ALS workers, despite the company’s moves against them.
“This is a key organising priority for our union. It’s a huge company with sites across Australia and an agreement in place that undercuts award provisions. We’re hopeful of securing a better deal and growing our union at ALS.”