17 June 2009  Thiess Must Reinstate Sacked Rhodes Workers The CFMEU is calling on the company that is carrying out soil decontamination at Rhodes to reinstate workers it has sacked and to engage in enterprise agreement negotiations in good faith. Thiess Services recently sacked two union delegates and two other workers who were pushing for a union collective agreement with the company. The company, however, is pursuing a non-union agreement which takes away rostered days off and forces workers to use up annual leave when equipment fails. CFMEU Acting Secretary Malcolm Tulloch said it was evident the company was trying to rush through its sub-standard agreement before new workplace laws came into effect on July 1. “Thiess is determined to be the last company to use Work Choices,” Mr Tulloch said. “The company is trying to bully its workers into signing away their entitlements before Labor’s Fair Work laws come into operation. “These laws will require the company to undertake negotiations in good faith with the workers and their representatives.” The CFMEU and the sacked workers will be protesting outside the Thiess site at Walker Street until their demands are met. The union is also following up unlawful dismissal claims on behalf of the workers. “Thiess seems to be on a mission to cut costs in any way they can, even if it includes screwing over their workers,” Mr Tulloch said.