Fed: Ansett workers to protest at PM's Sydney home

AAP General News (Australia)
12-10-2001
Fed: Ansett workers to protest at PM's Sydney home

SYDNEY, Dec 10 AAP - Ansett workers will sing Christmas carols outside the prime minister's
Sydney residence today, then demand the $195 million pledged by the federal government
to cover their entitlements.

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) said many Ansett workers faced a bleak Christmas
and were waiting for the prime minister to come good on his promise to fund entitlements.

They will march on John Howard's Sydney residence, Kirribilli House, from 11.15am (AEDT).

"We wish the Howard family all the best for Christmas, however we would like to remind
Mr Howard about how Ansett workers and their families are going to be spending their Christmas,"

TWU secretary Tony Sheldon said.

"For many Ansett workers and their families the situation that they face has reached
crisis point, with many of the workers who accepted redundancies still out of work (and)
haven't received a cent of entitlements that the government guaranteed to pay."

Mr Sheldon said the protest against the first broken promise of the re-elected Howard
government would include a carol performance outside Mr Howard's Sydney home.

He said the government had promised to pay the workers by November 24.

A Christmas gift donation drive for Ansett workers is also being launched today with
drop off points in Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle.

AAP sal/jmd/sb

KEYWORD: ANSETT

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