Schweppes Centre under IR investigation


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Schweppes Centre under IR investigation

By Anthony Radford

IR laws in spotlight

AUSTRALIA’S Workplace Ombudsman confirmed today it is investigating allegations workers at the Schweppes Centre were under duress by their employer to vote in favour of a non-union collective workplace agreement.

The Workplace Ombudsman’s executive director of Field Operations Bill Loizides said the investigation would examine whether the stadium management had breached section 401 of the Workplace Relations Act 1996 by making false or misleading statements in its bargaining with workers.

Mr Loizides said the investigation was being conducted by workplace inspectors from the Workplace Ombudsman’s Bendigo office, on the corner of Myers and Mundy Streets Bendigo.

“If anyone is concerned about whether they are being treated unfairly or unlawfully in the workplace they should immediately contact the Workplace Ombudsman on either 1300 724 200 or visit www.wo.gov.au,” he said.

Schweppes Centre chief executive officer Mick Kelly said the issue was simply a “storm in a tea cup”.

“All the ombudsman office is doing is checking if the negotiations are accurate and legal,” he said.

“We think they have been. We have said all along that if they are not we donl’ have any trouble with changing it.

“If they say we have done something wrong we will fix it.”