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5 May, 2009Cochlear Ltd., a world leading manufacturer of state-of-the-art hearing devices, is using Australia's anti-union industrial relations laws to deny 260 workers at its Sydney manufacturing plant the right to be represented by their union, the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union.
Listen UP Cochlear!
The AMWU has represented Cochlear workers for over a decade, delivering a high standard of wages and working conditions. This year Cochlear management initiated a union-busting campaign. Despite workers voting for a union-negotiated collective agreement in two separate secret ballots, the company has refused to bargain. Recently Cochlear management moved to use Australia's unfair workplace laws to force employees into a non-union agreement, conditions the workers have repeatedly rejected. These unfair working conditions will come into effect on the 6th of November.
As part of the global campaign to support Cochlear workers' right to union representation, the International Metalworkers' Federation, to which the AMWU is an affiliate, and Public Services International, which represents workers at clinics where Cochlear hearing devices are distributed, are urging affiliates to take action in one or more of the following ways:
- Unions should contact local clinics that distribute Cochlear hearing devices and urge them to press Cochlear to respect a worker's right to union representation.
- Pass out flyers at local distribution clinics to educate the public about Cochlear's refusal to honour its workers' right to union representation.
- Employees at clinics that distribute Cochlear hearing devices can wear badges in solidarity with Cochlear manufacturing workers in Sydney and speak with management about the dispute.
- Send letters of support to Cochlear workers fighting for the right to union representation, and letters of protest to Cochlear CEO Chris Roberts.
- Publicise the campaign in your union publication and on your website.
The AMWU has prepared a list of all the locations where Cochlear hearing devices are distributed. It is available on this site for download as well as flyers, protest letters and other solidarity resources. For additional information and news about the campaign, visit: http://www.amwu.asn.au/.