Second lockout at The West

More than 100 unionised workers were locked out at The West Australian last week as part of an ongoing bargaining dispute, the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union says.

In December, Business News reported workers in the printing division had gone on strike, with The West’s management responding with a lockout notice.

Today, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union said workers had been locked out for a second time on Friday.

The union said members had voted against a proposed Enterprise Bargaining Agreement on Friday because of concerns around the removal of redundancy payout provisions.

Members and supporters picketed Seven West Media’s offices in Osborne Park this morning and planned to return this afternoon, the AMWU said.

AMWU WA state secretary Steve McCartney said the workers remained off the job indefinitely after refusing reduced entitlements and a cut of pay.

“Why punish local workers who did the right thing by the company,” Mr McCartney said in a statement.

“Locking workers out again is an extreme move. 

“They aren’t asking for a pay rise; they just want their conditions protected. 

“It is what they are entitled to.”

A spokesperson for Seven West Media had not responded to a request for comment at the time of writing.