Workers from the Electrolux white goods factory in Orange
yesterday rejected the company’s latest pay offer and say industrial action is
now possible.
The ABC reports that the company offered a pay rise of 11%
over three years but the workforce, which will be made redundant when the
factory closes in 2016, rejected the offer.
According to Allan Haynes from the Australian Workers Union,
289 voted against the offer and 174 voted for the offer and may now consider
industrial action.
Meanwhile, The Central Western Daily reports that the NSW opposition
spokesperson for trade and investment Mick Veitch is attempting to amend the
payroll tax rebate to include the redundant Electrolux workers.
The government will increase payroll tax rebates from $5000
to $6000 for employers that take on workers made redundant firms that let go of
at least 50 staff in regional areas and 100 in city areas.
Mr Veitch wants to amend the legislation so workers made redundant
after July 1 2015 are included. Currently, the rebates will apply only to those
made redundant from January 1, 2014 to July 1, 2015.
“It’s a very simple amendment, this is above politics,” he
said.
“We were concerned that the cut-off date excluded the
Electrolux workers and we wanted to make sure it didn’t”.
Image: Fairfax