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Four newspaper printers sacked for drinking schooners of beer during a lunch break have been awarded their jobs back. The quartet, who work at the new Chullora plant of Nationwide News, were caught on video drinking just days after the company had issued an edict stating it would not tolerate alcohol consumption on its premises.
However the Australia Industrial Relations Commission found that although Nationwide News had a valid reason for terminating the men’s employment it was too harsh given the printers’ service record, and as there had been no previous warnings. The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, defending the printers, said that although it did not support drinking at work, Nationwide News had been inconsistent in its application of policy. Nationwide News’ managing director Peter Wylie said, "We will not allow the consumption of alcohol prior to or during work."
The Chullora case highlights an increasing area of concern in the historically alcohol-friendly macho printing culture. With deadlines as tight as they can be and expensive equipment to be run printing companies are having to introduce the non-drinking policy in the workplace. Nationwide News’ experience shows it is important to follow strict procedure of written communication to employees outlining the alcohol-free policy, followed by written warnings if employees breach the policy, before termination is actioned. The four Nationwide newspaper printers have been on full pay for six months while the case waited for court judgement. Few commercial printing companies could afford those costs, let alone the court fees if they lost the case.
