Knauf workers stand firm and show how to win

Workers at the Knauf plant in Fishermans Bend in Melbourne have returned to work triumphant after almost two months of strikes and lockouts.

The 60 or so workers, members of the Construction, Forestry, Mining, Maritime and Energy Union (CFMMEU), were demanding a 6 per cent wage increase, 12 per cent super contributions from Knauf, double time on Saturdays and a halt to the expansion of labour hire.

They won almost everything, falling just short on pay.

Their first pay rise will be 5 per cent for the first year followed by 4 per cent each for the next three years, plus back pay from 1 July. Workers also won:

  • all overtime at double time
  • penalty rates up by 7.5 per cent
  • an income protection scheme
  • improved staffing levels
  • union training.

They also won a laundry allowance which, as one worker wrote, is “important for a workforce which works all day in dust, often containing chemical additives which workers don’t want to take home to their family”.

CFMMEU national secretary Christy Cain praised the Knauf workers. “The membership didn’t blink.”

The workers, who make stone products and plasterboard for the construction industry, marched back into work at 6am on 26 October after 40 days of being locked out, welcomed by a guard of honour of other CFMMEU members.

They had struck on 7 September, with management responding with a lockout on 15 September.

The picket line was well attended and lively with support from a range of unions including ETU, PPTEU, AMWU, MUA and others.

While the pay rise is below inflation, the workers returned full of confidence.

Their willingness to fight shows that struggle pays. Other workers should learn from their example.

By David Glanz

Magazine

Solidarity meetings

Latest articles

Read more

Unions stop work against CFMEU Administration in Sydney on May Day

More than 1500 unionists walked off the job to rally on 1 May in Sydney, including hundreds of CFMEU members.

Administrator sets out plan to control CFMEU until 2028

After months of inactivity, Mark Irving, the Labor-appointed administrator of the CFMEU has announced a plan to implement an undisclosed “Strategic Review” between now and 2028.

Thousands of NSW doctors strike for conditions, pay and public health

Thousands of NSW doctors from over 30 hospitals in NSW have taken strike action for the first time since 1998.