Union wants full access to W.E. Smith's finances

UPDATE - 6.00PM:

A STEP forward was taken today in negotiations between W.E. Smith management and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union at today's wage negotiations.

In a statement, W.E. Smith said today's meeting with the AMWU was a great opportunity for the company to talk about its plan for the future and to discuss how the current situation can be rectified as quickly as possible.

A media spokesman for the union said W.E Smith agreed to provide information about their finances.

The spokesman also said the union will be working to gain full access to the company's books.

Negotiations will continue next week.

12:30PM:

W.E SMITH Engineering management will this afternoon meet with the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union to negotiate the remaining wages and entitlements owed to its employees.

W.E Smith workers meeting with the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union.:

The meeting comes after W.E Smith chief executive William Van Vliet announced last Friday the company issued four weeks back-pay owed to its employees.

Tim Ayres, New South Wales Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, addressing media about their position supporting W.E Smith workers during wage negotiations. Claudia Jambor

Mr Ayres said the union will be providing financial support to workers throughout the negotiations.

"Our job here is to do what unions do and that is protect people's wages and protect as many jobs as possible," Mr Ayres said.

"They [W.E Smith employees] have done the right thing by the company they have taken the company's assurances at good faith, they've worked hard through this period but they have been treated with absolute content."

The meeting, initially meant to take place this morning, was postponed until 1pm this afternoon.