The Australian subsidiary of UK“s BTR group, BTR-Nylex, has threatened to close the Spotswood, Australia factory of its subsidiary ACI if it cannot achieve new work practices through the use of contr…
The Australian subsidiary of UK“s BTR group, BTR-Nylex, has threatened to close the Spotswood, Australia factory of its subsidiary ACI if it cannot achieve new work practices through the use of contract labour. The long running dispute is over moves by BTR-Nylex to change work practices and contract out maintenance, making redundant 59 of the 139 maintenance staff. BTR-Nylex“s managing director, Mr. Philip Aiken, said: “This dispute is about the long-term survival of the Spotswood site as a glass container manufacturing plant. The present manning levels, demarcations and work practices – enforced by the maintenance unions – undermine the long-term survival prospects of the plant.” Mr. Aiken also linked a planned A$ 43 million upgrade at ACI Spotswood to the introduction of the new work practices. Unions involved in the dispute have threatened an indefinite strike at all BTR-Nylex sites in Victoria if the company tried to replace locked-out workers with contract labourers.