Australia: Lion dairy workers strike and win protection for casual workers

24-01-2013

IUF-affiliated NUW members at Lion in Crestmead struck for 24 hours on Christmas Eve after negotiations with the company failed to reach a fair outcome for Queensland workers.

After being forced to strike to send the company a clear message that QLD workers want fairness, NUW members at the site voted to accept the company's latest improved offer on January 16.

In addition to improved wages and holidays, the new collective agreement includes a clause stipulating that casual workers, whether directly engaged by Lion or not, will be employed on the same terms and conditions as permanent workers. This clause prevents the company from bringing in labour hire workers/contractors on lesser terms and conditions than workers directly employed by Lion.

Lion Group produces milk for companies including Dairy Farmers, PURA, Moove and Farmers Union.

The International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations (IUF) is an international federation of trade unions representing workers employed in agriculture and plantations; the preparation and manufacture of food and beverages; hotels, restaurants and catering services; all stages of tobacco processing. The IUF is composed of 394 affiliated organizations in 126 countries representing a combined membership of around 2,6 million.

How to contact the IUF:
Email: [email protected]
Post: Rampe du Pont-Rouge, 8, CH-1213, Petit-Lancy (Switzerland)
Phone: + 41 22 793 22 33
Fax: + 41 22 793 22 38