Protesters cry shame, call for change outside MP's office
Unionists question MP's commitment to job security and decent wages for workers in the region.
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More than 120 protesters from various industries rallied at Michelle Landry's South Rockhampton office at lunchtime today .
They included mechanics, electricians, hairdressers, underground and above ground miners, fitters, boilermakers and, also, reportedly, a blacksmith.
To the chants of "shame”, union organisers called into question the MP's commitment to job security and decent wages for workers in the region.
They accused her of cutting penalty rates, voting against the banking commission, and doing nothing to stave off the rampant growth of labour hire and casualisation which, they claim, puts "downward pressure” on people with full-time jobs to accept subpar salaries.
Father-of-three Scott Treacy said the inequality has gone on for too long.
"Our wages aren't going up as they are in different industries on the rich side of town,” he said.
"I have a partner and three kids and it's getting harder to support them.”
Mr Treacy said his employer at Komatsu was supportive of his right to industrial action but there was no such guarantee under Australian legislation.
"It's an international law we can withdraw labour to progress our interests but here, in Australia, workers can face fines,” he said.
"We want to see EBAs regulated across the board so everyone, including women and minority groups, get the same pay for the same day's work.”
As an example of what he wanted to see changed, Mr Treacy cited the "silly rules” concerning his four-year apprenticeship.
"That time doesn't count toward my long service leave because I was classed as a contractor,” he said.
Mr Treacy said that joining a union doesn't make you "terroristic” or an extremist, and protesters shouldn't be persecuted.
"You'll never get your point across working on your own,” he said.
"The more workers unit, the bigger voice they have.”
The statewide roll out of rallies will proceed to Gladstone this afternoon.
Speaking at Rockhampton's Ski Gardens after protesters picketed her office, Michelle Landry MP labelled them "an absolute disgrace".
She claimed unionists bullied and intimidated her staff and created a danger to traffic.
"Their signs were blocking road signs near the train crossing," she told press during an announcement a North Queensland water authority would be expanded.
"They were taking photos through our windows."
Ms Landry said she would "stand strong" against union pressure to restore penalty rates.
"Nobody has complained to me about it except the protesters," she said.
"Why aren't they at work instead of spending people's hard earned dollars to protest outside my office?"
Originally published as Protesters cry shame, call for change outside MP's office
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