The lockout happened after 90 per cent of the workers at OTIS voted down a non-union agreement that would slash their pay and conditions. Following unprecedented international support for the locked out Otis workers, an agreement was reached on 17 December.
IndustriALL Global Union affiliates ETU (part of CEPU) and AMWU achieved a 3,5 year agreement with a 14 per cent wage increase, increases to daily fares and travel, construction allowances increased to above industry standard, minimum site allowances on all projects, and income protection for the first time.
Allen Hicks, national secretary of ETU says:
“With the great support both internationally and in Australia, our members have stood together and resisted the ideologically driven conservative attack on them.”
IndustriALL had joined Otis workers in New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Denmark and Ireland and condemned the treatment the workers were subjected to.
Matthias Hartwich, IndustriALL director for mechanical engineering says:
“We have stood in firm solidarity with our fellow unionists. We welcome the agreement which shows what difference international support can make.”
IndustriALL also supported the demand that Otis sit down with IndustriALL affiliate AMWU and ETU members to negotiate a fair agreement, covering decent and well-deserved conditions and benefits for workers and their families.
Otis Elevators is one of largest manufacturer and installer of vertical transportation systems in the world.