FED: Union rejects offer to end car dispute

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2001
FED: Union rejects offer to end car dispute

The union at the centre of the dispute crippling Australia's automotive industry has
rejected an offer to end the matter.

Three of the country's four major car makers have been forced to stand down workers
and stop production after a week-long strike by 300 workers at TriStar Steering and Suspension
in Sydney.

At the heart of the dispute is a refusal by TriStar management to sign onto Manusafe,
a trust fund unions say will protect workers' entitlements.

Tristar, a small car parts firm, yesterday offered to end the dispute by offering an
insurance bond to workers to protect entitlements in the unlikely event of the company
going insolvent.

However, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union national secretary DOUG CAMERON says
the union is not prepared to accept an ultimatum from the Australian Industry Group or
TriStar for Manusafe to be withdrawn from the negotiating table.

AAP RTV mk/pc

KEYWORD: CARS (SYDNEY)

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