AMWU members working in the Department of Defence have intensified their ongoing campaign for a fair pay deal, initiating protests in key Labor marginal seats this week.

On Wednesday the union together with the NUW and APESMA protested in the Federal Electorate of McEwen in Victoria - one of Australia’s most marginal electorates and home to the Puckapunyal and Monegeetta defence facilities. 

AMWU National TSA Division Secretary Mike Nicolaides said the rallies were a sign that workers were frustrated with the government’s refusal to adequately consider their wage claims.

“This is a marginal seat, there are two significant defence establishments here. Electorates similar to these around Australia are home to thousands of defence personnel and their families.

“The government has to understand there are electoral consequences for treating our members with disrespect.”

He said Warren Snowdon, Minister for Defence Personnel had refused to meet with union delegates or officials in recent months to discuss the workforce’s proposed agreement – deeming it ‘inappropriate.’

“There have been no genuine negotiations by the Department on the fundamental point of a wage rise. 

“Our members are tired of being ignored. We’re going to have other gatherings in marginal seats around Australia in the next week.”

He said Defence workers had two important votes to cast.

“The first vote is next week, when they should vote down this significantly weak wage offer (3% on average a year for three years) from the Department. The second may come at the next Federal Election.

“Do not forget the way you have been treated,” Mr Nicolaides encouraged those delegates who attended the rally.

Rallies will be held in the key marginal Labor electorates of Lindsay (Penrith) and Eden-Monaro (Queanbeyan) in New South Wales next week.