By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
NEARLY 100 striking factory workers at bus manufacturer Volgren are pining for what they say were better times under Grenda’s bus magnate Ken Grenda.
Displaying banners, workers were protesting for better pay outside the Dandenong South factory today.
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union vehicle division organiser Ashley Mayne said there was widespread discontent among Volgren’s workforce since 75 per cent of the company was sold to Brazilian-based bus manufacturer Marcopolo in February.
Grenda’s retains a 25 per cent share in the company.
Mr Mayne said about 90 of the factory’s 120 workers were on strike for the day, following two half-day actions involving an enterprise bargaining agreement dispute.
He said the workers’ grievances included the dropping of a $770 tools allowance and shaving their wage rises to pay for superannuation increases.
Tradesman Roger Gramtham said workers were missing the generosity of former boss Ken Grenda — who awarded a $15 million windfall to his Grenda’s workers in January from a $400 million sell-off.
‘‘Marcopolo is one of the big world players. It should be improving our conditions, not making them worse.’’
Assistant shop steward Keith Topp said the company’s ‘‘nasty’’ management style was looking to ‘‘nail us for anything’’.
Shop steward Mark Fidanza said ‘‘it’s gone from a family company that cared about us to one that wants to take away our rights.’’
Another worker ‘Bill’ said Grenda used to visit the factory floor and would ‘‘know each of his worker’s by their first name’’.
‘‘I’ve never met anyone from Marcopolo.’’
Mr Mayne said the standoff was in contrast to three relatively peaceful EBA negotiations while Mr Grenda was in charge. In that time there was a single half-day stop-work action, he said.
‘‘We want a bargain. We’re not going to trade off what we have,’’ Mr Mayne said.
AMWU vehicle division national secretary David Smith was scheduled to meet with Volgren management at 2pm today.
