Victorian Trades Hall Council. The voice of Victorian workers since 1856.Victorian Trades Hall Council. The voice of Victorian workers since 1856.

Tenix workers say no to individual contracts, yes to union representation

The processing of speeding fines and traffic infringements for Victorian motorists ceased today (Monday 28th February) as 120 administration workers at Tenix Solutions took protest action over their right to choose to be covered by a collective enterprise agreement in their workplace.

Tenix solutions is making 120 administration workers at their Spencer Street office sign an individual contract if they want a pay increase, even though an independent ballot conducted by the AIRC (Australian Industrial Relations Commission) found that 83% of Tenix workers said they opposed individual contracts (AWA's) and wanted to be covered by a collective agreement.

Greg Combet, ACTU Secretary said:

"All these workers want is the right to choose what type of agreement they are covered by. Why should they be forced to sign an individual contract when almost every single one of them has expressed their preference for a collective agreement?

"Forcing workers onto individual contracts isn't about choice its about workplaces where Australians are forced to work harder and longer for less, that's bad for employees their families and even their communities.

Ingrid Stitt, Secretary of the Australian Services Union, which is representing the Tennix employees, said:

"The individual contracts the company is trying to get them to sign are not about meeting the needs of the individual workers its about stopping them having a real say and real voice in the workplace.

"We are calling on the company to listen to the employees and respect the decision they have made. It is time Tenix sat down with the union and negotiated a fair collective agreement.

"These employees have never taken industrial action before but feel so strongly about their rights to respect and a say in their workplace they are taking industrial action today," said Ms Stitt.

A Local workplace delegate from Tenix said:

"I thought Australia was a democracy. More than 80% of my workmates have voted that they want a fair collective agreement. But our employer can just say no. I think that's unfair, un-democratic and un-Australian."


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