Granite quarry crusher plant without raymond mill grinder Machinery : Union wins right to enter lunchrooms

The union movement has strengthened its foothold in the mining sector after winning the right to meet and spruik for members in the lunchroom of a non-unionised mine site.

 

The Fair Work Australia ruling late last week set a precedent that erodes the ability of employers to ban unions from lunchrooms.

 

The Australian Workers Union said the victory against Rio Tinto signalled a growing role for the movement, especially because it came after a decision by the mining giant to allow its first union agreement in nearly two decades.

 

The union launched the legal challenge after complaining it had trouble getting access to members at Rio Tinto's Bell Bay site in Tasmania.

 

But the Australian Mines and Metals Association said the decision was a dangerous precedent that could politicise lunchrooms across the country.

 

Chief executive Steve Knott said it was like making diners at a food court listen to Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott while eating lunch.

 

"Surely workers deserve to eat their meals in peace and free from the pressure to participate in union or political conversations that inevitably occur in an environment where unions are given free rein," he said.

 

Mr Knott said the decision broke a Labor Party promise that unions would not get special treatment under a Labor Government.

 

"On this basis, we don't see any reason why union officials should have any more rights to be in worker's lunchrooms than insurance representatives or car salespeople," Mr Knott said.

 

Australian Workers Union WA related granite crusher secretary Steven Price said the FWA decision protected the right for unions to have access to existing and potential members. crushing plant

 

Rio Tinto had complied with laws at Bell Bay requiring it to ensure meeting rooms for union business, but the union complained the rooms were too far away from the workers.more quarry plant

 

It argued the workers did not have enough time during their lunchbreak to walk to the designated rooms and discuss concerns.

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Rio Tinto declined to comment.