Dairy factory workers in Victoria have returned to work after a strike, but they have warned that they may strike again this week.
More than 1,000 dairy workers at 14 facilities in Victoria managed by four major milk businesses went on strike for 48 hours on Wednesday and Thursday in protest of salary and working conditions.
Due to the disturbance in milk processing, at least 100,000 gallons of milk were thrown down the drain by farmers who were unable to get their milk collected by tankers due to the drivers’ strike.
Workers have returned to work, but the dispute with the milk factories has not been resolved.
“At the moment, most of the major processors’ offers involved a range of 10 to 11% over three years,” United Workers Union national secretary Tim Kennedy stated.
“Our claim is 5 per cent per year over three years.”
Outside, a group of dairy workers in high visibility wearing Dare iced coffee banners and striking for higher wages.
When dairy workers at Bega’s Penrith plant went on strike, villages in far west NSW were left without fresh milk for over two weeks.(From the United Workers Union)
Rolling stoppages have been identified.
This week, the United Workers Union will undertake separate talks with the firms concerned — Saputo, Fonterra, Lactalis, and Peter’s Ice Cream.
If no agreement is reached, dairy industry workers might go on strike again as early as Tuesday.
“If we don’t reach an agreement that we think is fair and reasonable we will be putting in notices to commence action again, and that action includes 24-hour rolling stoppages similar to what occurred this week,” Mr. Kennedy told reporters.
Tim Kennedy, national secretary of the United Workers Union
If the strikes continue, Tim Kennedy believes the supply of dairy products would suffer.(Daniel Fermer, Four Corners)
“If something goes wrong, action can be taken within three working days.”
“These plants work seven days a week and so we could be in a situation where this time next week there could be some action.”
When dairy factory workers at Bega’s Penrith facility in New South Wales went on strike in September, production of Dairy Farmers milk and Dare iced coffee was hampered.
Members of the United Workers Union were asking a 7% wage increase in the first year and a 5% raise in future years.
However, dairy producers are dissatisfied with the likelihood of future strikes.
“It will be really disappointing because it has been a stressful time for farmers knowing what will happen and if they have to dump milk,” Mark Billing, a dairy farmer, told ABC News.
Mr Billing highlighted that in the past, when milk blockades occurred, the Victorian government stepped in, using emergency powers to ensure that farmers’ milk was picked up and not wasted.
He wants the strike to be called off.
“In this case I think the government should look at every option available to it to bring this to a close as soon as possible.”
Customers are advised not to purchase milk in a panic.
The 48-hour dairy strike caused little interruption in supplies for customers, with just a few retailers limiting the quantity of milk individuals could purchase.
Earlier, Premier Jacinta Allan encouraged Victorians not to purchase milk in a panic.
“There doesn’t need to be any panic buying, there is sufficient supply,” she went on to say.
“There are negotiations underway, I am advised there is some progress, and I encourage that progress to continue.”
However, the United Workers Union is warning the public and milk processors that if the strike continues, supply of dairy products may become limited.
“If there is further action this week, this disruption to the supply chain will escalate and will make it much more difficult [to supply milk and dairy products to supermarkets],” Mr. Kennedy told reporters.
