Facing up to labour laws

By Melissa Meehan
SINCE becoming the face of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) campaign against the new Industrial Relation (IR) laws, Narre Warren resident Andrew Cruickshank has become a local celebrity.
Mr Cruickshank appears in the television advertisements highlighting his disappointment of being dismissed by retailer Priceline for ‘operational reasons’ under the new employment laws.
On 3 November last year, Mr Cruickshank was told that his services were no longer required and that his position was becoming redundant.
Employed as one of the company’s four space planners, his job was to determine where products were placed in the chain’s outlets.
He said it was brought to his attention that his exact position was being advertised internally and two weeks later the company re-advertised his position publicly with a 25 per cent salary cut.
When local member for Holt, Anthony Byrne, heard about Mr Cruickshank’s dismissal he stepped in to help.
Mr Byrne introduced industrial law specialist Josh Bornstein from Maurice, Blackburn and Cashman to Mr Cruickshank and from then on, his plight has gained momentum in the public forum.
Mr Cruickshank believes that this has led to his appearance as face of the campaign.
Now a sales representative, Mr Cruickshank has only ever wanted his original job back and says that he had been a Liberal supporter until this incident.
“It is difficult for me to understand, if my position is still active at the company, why I can’t have my job back.” Mr Cruickshank said. The Industrial Relations Commission previously ruled that Priceline made Mr Cruickshank redundant because of financial difficulties and subsequent restructuring.
He has since gained the right to have his case heard again.
The case was due to be presented on 24 September but has since been adjourned to a date to be confirmed.