Members of the National Union of Workers at a Big W warehouse in Warwick, Queensland, have narrowly lost a vote to defeat an enterprise agreement offer. They say the deal proposed by the company sells workers short.

But after a heated campaign, which included strike action for the first time in the site’s 20-year history, the company managed to push through the new agreement by a margin of two votes.

Over the last 12 months, members of the NUW have recruited close to half of the shed. They have faced down aggressive anti-union tactics on the shop floor from managers and company stooges. They were also forced to counter the deadening influence of the industrially meek Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association – which also covers workers in the warehouse.

While they did not win this fight, NUW delegates in the warehouse plan to continue to grow their strength for future battles. 

After the ballot result was announced Sara Couper, NUW member, wrote this:

“Today we built a fire, we picked a spot for it, not too close to our house but close enough to confirm it was ours, we gathered our timber, hard wood, kindling and paper, we set up a strong foundation in the form of the tried and true 44 gallon drum, we poured our fuel on it and set it alight with our passion.

“The fire started slow, only in the corners where the paper was. Then it took hold of the well placed kindling, before long the solid hardwood took flame burning long and hot before the masses. We all stood around the fire and threw in our own timber, piece by piece we kept it burning, a shining light with enormous heat that everyone could feel, it was ours, burning bright and proud for many hours, all the way to midnight.

“And now, as we speak, those ashes are still glowing hot and steady, ready to flare up at any time we have the power, the energy and are ready to shine our intense light again on those who tried to quench us. We are union!”