[Greens-Media] MARK PARNELL MLC: Labor abandons Tristar workers

[Parnell]

Media Release
12th September 2007
                       

Labor abandons Tristar workers

In a remarkable display, Labor members of the SA Upper House have voted
against a motion calling on Premier Rann to intervene in support of
factory workers caught up in the long running Tristar industrial
dispute.

"Whatever happened to the Labor party being the workers' friend?  Not
only did they vote against the motion, not one Labor member had the
decency to stand up and speak about the issue," Mark Parnell said.

The long running Tristar dispute has dominated Sydney media since
January, with claims that the company has deliberately kept workers on,
despite no work, to deny them their rightful redundancy payments.  The
AMWU, the union representing the workers, has always believed the
resolution to the dispute is in Adelaide, as all the company owners and
directors live here.  

Recently, there has been a breakthrough, with 24 of the remaining 31
workers officially made redundant.  However, 7 workers remain in limbo,
including Greg Rutherford who bravely came to Adelaide in July to
highlight the workers' plight.

"It amazes me that these workers could be treated with such contempt by
representatives of the Australian Labor Party.  This issue has been on
the notice since July and I have given specific notice on 2 separate
occasions that I wanted this issue brought to a vote today.  

"Yet Labor Members of the Upper House said they needed more time.  What
more do they need to think about?  Every day this debacle continues,
these workers suffer.

"Kevin Rudd has said: 'This has been a despicable scandal that has gone
on for far too long'.  It seems his SA Labor colleagues don't agree.

"Even Joe Hockey seems to have done more to help resolve this dispute
than SA Labor.  

"Despite his colleagues shameful display, it's not too late for the
Premier to do whatever he can to ensure the remaining seven Tristar
workers get treated fairly," Mr Parnell said.

 

 

For further comment contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893

	
 


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