Bedford’s unfair dismissal claim as CFMEU proposes administrator’s media ban
A Bedford worker who lost her job after 17 years claims the company owes her $35k, as the union boss refuses a proposed media ban.
The union representing sacked Bedford workers has fired back at administrators after a critical consultation meeting was abruptly shut down over a proposed media blackout.
The Construction Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) said Bedford administrators McGrathNicol refused to allow Friday’s EBA-required meeting to proceed unless the union agreed to keep all discussions strictly behind closed doors.
“Unfortunately, the EBA required union consultation meeting was closed (on Friday) by the administrator prior to commencement because the union would not agree to an administrator required media ban,” CFMEU SA Secretary Dave Kirner said.
Mr Kirner said transparency during Bedford’s sale to The Disability Trust — which has already resulted in 81 redundancies in “open” roles — was non-negotiable.
He said the union was also gravely concerned about the future of around 50 jobs at Bedford’s timber mill in Mount Gambier after indications the new owner did not want that part of the business.
“The union believes that public transparency in the restructuring of Bedford is essential so we will keep raising issues and concerns with the media,” he said.
The union says it will now refer the cancelled meeting to the Fair Work Commission, arguing it breached consultation obligations.
The confrontation comes as legal action intensifies.
An unfair dismissal claim was lodged on Saturday on behalf of long-serving Bedford worker Annette Raue, with more applications expected in coming days as displaced staff prepare to challenge their terminations.
Ms Raue spent 13 years at Bedford working mostly in the lottery team, but was among the first round of workers sacked on November 17.
She claims she is owed about $35,000 in unpaid entitlements but received just $110 on the day lost her job before being ushered off-site.
“It was horrible,” she said. “I’d dedicated so much of my time to Bedford. We were all in tears. They gave us false hope our jobs would be fine.”
In her claim, Ms Raue alleges the employer failed to consult with her or the union about major changes, breaching the Bedford Phoenix Incorporated Staff Enterprise Agreement 2022.
She also claims she has not been paid her accrued entitlements, including more than $5000 in annual leave, more than $10,000 in long service leave and more than $20,000 in redundancy pay.
She states she has no funds for the Christmas period, supports her grandchildren, and has health conditions that make finding a new job difficult.
In total, Bedford workers are still owed about $11 million in entitlements. The disability employment provider also has about $18 million in debts to 540 unsecured creditors, with a second creditors’ meeting due by December 22.
