Workers in Thales Marine Division have won ten days of paid domestic violence leave as part of a new enterprise agreement. Thales management agreed to the union's claim after AMWU members voted to take industrial action to support it.
This result will flow into National Thales Framework Agreements, which means that 3,600 workers across the country will now have access to the leave. Thales will now be one of the first major blue-collar employers in the manufacturing sector to offer ten days of paid domestic violence leave.
The new Thales Marine agreement will cover 480 workers in the defence contractor's ship repair and maintenance business across three sites: Garden Island, the Newcastle Floating Dock and HMAS Waterhen in North Sydney.
However, the National Thales Framework Agreement covers 3,600 workers nationally, including large Thales sites in Lithgow, Rydalmere, Bendigo, Mulwalla and Benalla. Workers at all of these sites will also have access to ten days of paid domestic violence leave.
The agreement was negotiated by representatives from four unions: the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, the Electrical Trades Union, the National Union of Workers, and Professionals Australia.
The We Won't Wait campaign has been calling for legislation that includes ten days of paid domestic violence leave in the National Employment Standards.
As noted by the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union
"This is a significant union victory," said AMWU NSW Secretary Steve Murphy. "The workers at Garden Island and other Thales Marine sites fought for his important workplace condition and as a result thousands of workers will benefit."
"Domestic violence is a workplace issue. Its victims are workers, and access to domestic violence leave gives them the chance to leave abusive relationships. "
"It's something that people need in a time of crisis," said shipbuilder and AMWU convener at Garden Island Chris Mooney. "We recognize that it is important for heavily unionised sites like ours to lead the way on this."
"Every Australian worker deserves access to ten days of paid domestic violence leave, and the union movement won't rest until we get it," said AMWU National Secretary Paul Bastian.
As noted by Sam Roberts, General Branch Secretary, National Union of Workers:
"Workers at Thales are united behind paid domestic violence leave because it makes a real difference to people's lives. Domestic violence is a matter of life and death. One woman dies every week at the hands of an abusive partner. If every worker counts, then every worker deserves paid time away from work to leave abusive relationships."
As noted by Michael Butler, Director of Industrial Relations, Professionals Australia:
"It is clear that the incidence of domestic and family violence and abuse has reached disturbing levels in Australia. Our members strongly support leave to assist those affected and are very pleased that Thales has recognised the importance of this issue."
