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30 September 2009

Dreamworld's latest ride - an industrial relations rollercoaster

The Australian Workers’ Union has asked Fair Work Australia for assistance in a dispute with Dreamworld over a new enterprise bargaining agreement.

Approximately 600 workers at Dreamworld are being treated to the south-east Queensland amusement park’s latest ride – an industrial relations rollercoaster.

Dreamworld management has repeatedly refused to disclose the wording of their proposed new four year enterprise bargaining agreement to workers or their bargaining representatives - the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU).

AWU organiser Garry Crompton said “the company’s recent attempts to isolate workers who express concerns, while giving a boost to an unseen agreement, are unacceptable.”

“These workers are the heart and soul of Dreamworld. They are the ones who manage the rides, manage the facilities and help bring smiles the thousands of visitors each year.”

AWU is seeking a $38 per week or a 3.8% increase per annum increase over two years.  “Workers are concerned Dreamworld management seem determined to ‘lock in’ a very long agreement with small wage increases,” he said.

“The AWU is aware that times are tough in many sectors of our economy, that’s why we are seeking a two-year agreement; if conditions improve all parties can sit down again in two years’ time.”

“Workers and their representatives need to see, freely discuss and properly negotiate the draft wording of the proposed EBA. The companies “industrial relations rollercoaster” needed to have the brakes safely applied,” he said.

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Dreamworld negotiation info sheet - What's the rush?