The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) has experienced record growth in membership in the Illawarra in 2018 - as part of a resurgence of the union's NSW and ACT Branch.
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The union, which represents workers across manufacturing and its associated industries, puts down the growth to the activism of its delegates and a willingness to try new strategies to organise new workplaces.
"We've had some great wins at sites across Wollongong and the Illawarra," said AMWU NSW secretary Steve Murphy. "And when workers see a strong union at their workplace, or in the factory down the road, they want to join too."
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One highlight of the previous year has been at Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics at Fairy Meadow.
Having previously been a non-union site, the workers there joined the AMWU and won industry pay rates with up to a 14 per cent increase in their wages.
Another was a backpay case at Snares Fabrications, where nine members won a total of $77,000 in backpay after the AMWU found out that the company was processing their entitlements incorrectly.
The union has also grown at the Patrick Autocare, where there is an ongoing campaign to win fair pay rises at both the Dapto and Ingleburn sites.
"Across the country, working people aren't getting a fair share of the wealth that they create," Steve said. "Joining a union is the best way to win a fair deal for you and your family."