NSW: Protesters smash through glass doors at Wentworth

AAP General News (Australia)
02-14-2001
NSW: Protesters smash through glass doors at Wentworth

SYDNEY, Feb 14 AAP - Four hotel security guards and two unionists, including a union
leader, were injured when protesters crashed through glass doors and stormed Sydney's
Wentworth Hotel today.

Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union (LHMU) state secretary Annie Owens
was among those hurt when about 200 unionists converged on the luxury hotel to protest
against the sacking by management of 20 workers last week.

The security guards and unionists were injured as the protesters forced their way through
the locked front glass doors of the hotel, which shattered under the weight of the demonstrators.

Management later agreed to talk to a union delegation but workers at the luxury hotel
will have to wait until Friday to find out the fate of their jobs.

The LHMU has said the workers were sacked as part of a condition of sale of the 431-room hotel.

LHMU national secretary Jeff Lawrence said the protest was supposed to be peaceful
and was only staged to get the workers their jobs back.

He said the union simply wanted management to comply with the ruling of the Australian
Industrial Relations Commission on Monday ordering hotel owner Rydges Australia to reinstate
the workers.

"I think the company acted rather foolishly," he said.

"People were there to express their view. People are entitled to do that and when employers
act in a way which is inappropriate they have to expect that workers are going to take
a stand."

After unionists occupied the lobby for at least half an hour, management agreed to
meet with a delegation of union officials and workers.

But after an hour of talks with management, Mr Lawrence said the workers were no closer
to getting their jobs back.

"We've had extensive discussions with management. Unfortunately I can't say that they
are going to immediately put these workers back on the job," he said.

Mr Lawrence said hotel management had agreed to give the union a response by 2pm on Friday.

"This dispute is ongoing. There are discussions but we are hopeful management will
respond in a positive manner on Friday.

"But I can't promise anything," Mr Lawrence said.

Wentworth Hotel management has refused to comment throughout the dispute.

Meanwhile, 10 housekeeping staff from the hotel, who walked off the job during the
height of today's protest, later returned to work.

AAP nd/jjs/jas/br

KEYWORD: WENTWORTH OCCUPY LEAD (WITH PIX)

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