A Sydney worker who has spoken out about a redundancy row at a Sydney factory has been sacked by his employer, the Australian Workers Union (AWU) says. Marty Peek has claimed in the media that his employer, Tristar Steering and Suspension, is paying workers to turn up to work and do nothing until the expiry of a redundancy agreement which promises them four weeks' pay for each year of service. Mr Peek, the union shop steward, was on Friday sacked after 35 years of service, with Tristar claiming he had brought the company into disrepute. Advertisement: Story continues below The company said the decision to end Mr Peek's employment related to comments he had made dating back as far as 2001. His termination letter said Tristar was also concerned about two TV interviews he had last month, as well as comments Mr Peek made to Labor's industrial relations spokeswoman Julia Gillard when she visited the factory in February. The letter said Tristar found allegations made by Mr Peek were false and misleading as well as defamatory. The AWU said Tristar was simply trying to silence its workers. "It's a deliberate attempt to quieten the rest of the Rosetta Stone Chinese workforce and dampen down the prospect of any other workers going to the media," said AWU spokesman Vern Falconer. "It's a summary dismissal, they've terminated him without notice and they've denied him his long service leave and other entitlements. "He's distraught." Mr Falconer said Mr Peek had been an advocate for the union, and had become a spokesman because many of his colleagues had English as a second language. He said he feared for the future of other workers at the plant. "The way this company behaves and has behaved, is just extraordinary. I wouldn't put anything past this company to do anything, to systematically dismiss other employees, it wouldn't surprise me," Mr Falconer said. The AWU would now take the matter to the Federal Court on Monday afternoon to try to reinstate Mr Peek. A spokeswoman for Tristar said it was inappropriate for the company to discuss internal disciplinary proceedings at this time. Speaking before the dismissal, Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd said he was deeply concerned for the workers at Tristar. "This has been a despicable scandal which has gone on for far too long," Mr Rudd told reporters. "We need to resolve this matter in the interest of all the workers concerned." The Office of Workplace Services, which has begun action against Tristar, said it would closely monitor the current situation and make contact with the employer and employee.
