6/12/00 Woodlawn Waste

[Stafford Sanders]

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Lee Rhiannon MLC (NSW) The Greens
Media Release 6/12/00

Government Should Pay Woodlawn Workers from Surplus, Say Greens



The Greens have called on the NSW government to pay out the $6.5 million owed in entitlements to the Woodlawn mineworkers from the state's current surplus. 
"The NSW government has been aware for years that companies can default on paying workers their entitlements. They have chosen not to provide workers with protection and now they have to accept responsibility," says Ms Lee Rhiannon, Greens MLC. 
"Denehurst, the owner of the mine near Goulburn, have been allowed to walk away with no penalty for their refusal to pay the full entitlements. 
"It's also clear the amount of waste proposed to be dumped in order to fully fund the sacked workers' entitlements was totally unrealistic. These employees have been used as pawns in this scam. 
"The government raised the expectations of these workers to win their support and to avoid dealing firmly with companies that rob workers of their entitlements. The Greens have consistently campaigned for legislation that ensures employees' entitlements are protected when a business fails. 
"The strategy of the government on Woodlawn is in tatters. The government has dealt itself into a lose-lose situation, its scheme a sell-out of the workers and the environment.
"These people have been betrayed by a government that will not act to defend workers' rights." 


Media contact:	Stafford Sanders	ph. (02) 9230.3549 or 0409.787.911


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