Shell refinery cleaners' strike threatens petrol supplies

[Fled74]

Herald Sun link

PETROL bowsers across Victoria and Tasmania could run dry if specialist cleaners at a Geelong refinery strike over pay.

The specialist decontamination cleaners - who make sure safety equipment and clothing used for maintenance work is properly cleaned - have been told the new company to which they are contracted will make them redundant at the end of the week, and re-employed on the minimum wage.

Victorian secretary of the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union Jess Walsh said the Shell refinery could be left without the cleaners after incoming contractor ISS Cleaning told them they would not have jobs from the end of this week, The Geelong Advertiser reported.

"The 20 specialist cleaners may have no option but to strike unless Shell urgently intervenes to defuse the crisis by helping to secure their jobs," she said.

Ms Walsh said the 20 workers were employed on a union collective agreement, with full-time workers earning $870 a week.

She said the new contractor had told them their employment was being terminated at the end of the week and new workers would be employed on the minimum wage, which is $670 a week for full-time workers.

Geelong's refinery supplies fuel to half of Victoria and most of Tasmania.

[charles_wif_xf]

Good thing all I pour is BP Ultimate :-D

[GasoLane]

A Petrol strike!....Is it Christmas time already?

[fg_nitro]

200 dollar a week pay cut is nasty.

[Geez Louise]

$200 a week paycut...OUCH! So this will affect all service stations? I think talks will happen real quick!

[ebxr8240]

Hmm?? are concerns about petrol or the wage reduction ??
I doubt no one here would be happy with $200 p/w pay reduction..

[Burnout]

Surley a $200.00 per week wage cut would be illegal under Julia's new workplace laws. Supfin sounds crook to me!

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Burnout

Surley a $200.00 per week wage cut would be illegal under Julia's new workplace laws. Supfin sounds crook to me!

Depends if the previous employer paid them above the award (as it seems) then the new employer is quite within their rights to only pay the award.

Originally Posted by GrimmReaper09

That's messed up. The profits the refineries make and they are letting this happen. The refinery should be employing these people and paying them what they are worth. Are they really going to miss $4000 a week out of the BILLIONS they make every year???????? I think not. They're just trying to put more in their own pocket. I'd be friggin ropeable.

This is why large corporations outsource to private companies. so they can save a bucketload on wages/sickies/holiday pay etc, claim it on tax, and keep the Gods (shareholders) happy.

[GrimmReaper09]

That's messed up. The profits the refineries make and they are letting this happen. The refinery should be employing these people and paying them what they are worth. Are they really going to miss $4000 a week out of the BILLIONS they make every year???????? I think not. They're just trying to put more in their own pocket. I'd be friggin ropeable.

[phillyc]

Hundreds of millions of profits from their Australian operations alone and they are shafting 20 blokes for $200pw. Scumbags.

[GASWAGON]

Another reason i try not to buy at these industry GIANTS..... Shell/Coles and Caltex/Woolies have just about monopilised the Food/Liquor/Fuel industries and then they 'outsource' and screw every sub supplier ie farmers, cleaners etc etc to make more profits for themselves...... The Independant fuel suppliers like United and if you can find one Ampol are apparently nearly ready to shut shop...Don't buy these BIG brands..... support the locals!!!!!!!!

[aussie muscle]

sounds like an excuse to put prices up

[TUF_302]

I cant blame them for wanting to strike, loosing $200 is a huge loss!

[jcxr]

I know this has been discussed before, but if we all didnt top-up with sHELL fuel just that once as a show of support, it would make some sort of moral stance and show our anger .