ELECTROLUX staff forced to take annual leave or go without pay while the factory remains closed because of a chemical spill say the company lacks compassion and its treatment of them is unfair.
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However, employees signed an enterprise bargaining agreement with a clause that allowed the company to stand people down if it had to shutdown through no fault of its own.
Australian Workers Union western region organiser Alan Haynes said the union would launch an investigation into the 6500-litre chemical spill on Monday that closed the factory on Tuesday, yesterday and today.
The leaking of the foaming chemical was discovered by the plant’s security guard at around 8am on Monday.
“This has happened before in the exact same spot,” Mr Haynes said.
“Though it wasn’t any near as much.”
Mr Haynes said the union may consider taking the issue of forced annual leave up with Electrolux management depending on the results of the investigation.
The Central Western Daily was contacted by employees who asked not to be named.
The staff said they were upset they were forced to take leave given it was the second unexpected shutdown this year. In February, the roof of the Edward Street factory collapsed.
An investigated was launched by unions but no action was taken upon its completion.
“I would think that business insurance should have an option to cover wages,” one employee said.
“So far some workers have lost five days from their annual leave, or have been unpaid or a combination of the two through the two major safety issues of the plant.
“It is very unfair that through no fault of the employees that they can no longer use that leave to spend as they plan.”
Another employee said they would not be happy with any arrangement other than to take full pay given they were forced to take leave at the end of each year for the annual shutdown.
“That’s two weeks gone with the usual shutdown and the two safety hazards,” the employee said.
Plant manager Mark O’Kane said in a statement the plant would resume full operation from the start of tonight’s shift.
The component that failed and caused the spill was replaced yesterday and the reasons for its failure and other operational recommendations will be part of a “comprehensive report” being prepared by plant management.
