Axle makers from Melbourne’s south have celebrated a breakthrough win in a longstanding fight to improve their union collective agreement. 
 
AMWU regional organiser Greg Warren said management at Dana Australia last week agreed to a proposed pay rise of up to 20% over three years together with a range of new conditions.
 
The offer was accepted by workers who returned to work on Monday after a stop work action lasting just over a week.
 
“This shop previously had AWA’s (individual contracts) in place. So there was a fair bit of ground to be made up. Not to mention pay rates, which were all over the place.
 
“With this new agreement we’ve managed to make it more equitable and more worker friendly. We’ve improved delegate rights and the dispute resolution procedures. We’ve also been able to achieve a major pay rise and the introduction of RDOs.”

The members have also gained improved provisions for long service leave (up to 1.3 weeks per year from 7 years service) and consultation as well as status quo during disputes.
 
Site delegates Vlad Rajic and John Smith were thrilled with the win.
 
“We’re all really happy. We just wanted a bit of equality. In previous years people have been on different rates, a difference of $6 in some cases doing the same job.
 
“That’s what our struggle has been about - getting parity throughout our workshop,” Mr Rajic said.
 
He congratulated members at Dana for sticking together throughout the dispute and said the picket was well supported.
 
“Pops (Mr Warren) did a really good job. We also had lots of support from others at the AMWU and members from other local sites along with the NUW and MUA who came down to the site throughout the week.
 
“We feel more like a family now.”