Strikers battle Sigma
March 9, 2012
SIGMA Pharmaceuticals says it’s
“maintained the distribution of life
preserving PBS drugs” in recent
days despite a bitter dispute with
workers at its location in Rowville,
Victoria.
On Monday this week striking
staff were locked out of the
building after blockading the facility
to stop trucks entering, and PD has
been told that the warehouse has
only operated for one out of the
last ten days.
The National Union of Workers
issued a statement saying that the
130 employees were taking the
action to protect their working
conditions and job security,
claiming that Sigma is planning to
reduce shift loadings for those
working after hours.
According to the NUW, the
workers will be locked out of the
Rowville facility until next
Wednesday 14 March, with ACTU
President Ged Kearney slamming
Sigma’s “extreme tactics in a bid to
undercut workers’ minimum rights”
during a site visit yesterday.
In a statement also issued
yesterday, Sigma said that it
“remains committed to negotiate in
good faith for an EBA outcome that
is fair and workable for all.
“Sigma is seeking from the union
its support for the operational
changes needed to meet the
evolving needs of customers and
the community, while maintaining
the long-term viability of the
organisation,” the company said.
CEO Mark Hooper asked the
union to continue to work with
Sigma to achieve an “efficient
resolution to this issue”.
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