Workers walk off the job at Electrolux in Dudley Park factory demanding wage increase

More than 100 workers have walked off the job at a Dudley Park factory with employees demanding an 18 per cent wage increase.

Manufacturing workers have walked off the job at a Dudley Park factory as more than 100 employees continue to bargain for better wages.

Workers at Electrolux’s Dudley Park factory engaged in strike action for a second time on Monday morning after similar action on Friday.

Electrolux is the only home appliance company still manufacturing in Australia.

The workers are demanding an 18 per cent wage increase over three years after workers voted down the company’s offer for a second time last month.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union SA claims the offer of an 11 per cent wage rise over three years was not sufficient and was less than the 14.5 per cent over the same period offered to employees in other areas of the business.

Manufacturing workers have walked off the job at a Dudley Park factory as hundreds of employees continue to bargain for better wages. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

The union is also concerned the current offer would also see employees unable to apply for and take leave when they need it, as the offer stipulates leave periods must be dictated by management.

Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union SA assistant secretary Stuart Gordon said workers stepped up during the Covid pandemic and were classified as essential workers, but the “hard work and sacrifice” of employees had not been reflected in their wages.

“Electrolux has now forecast demand for its products to stay above pre-pandemic levels in the long run,” he said.

“Meanwhile, workers’ wages haven’t kept up with the demand let alone the cost- of-living crisis we’re in.

Mr Gordon said workers were just scraping above minimum wage.

“They can’t afford to walk off the job but they’re doing so anyway because, frankly, they’re on unliveable wages,” he said.

“Electrolux has offered workers at Dudley Park substantially less than a similar Electrolux warehouse doing the same work not even five kilometres away in Adelaide ... it’s no wonder the workers are angry and feel disrespected.”

Electrolux Group spokesman Mark Goodwin said the company was working through the matter with its workforce to try and “find a quick resolution”.

“The business areas and applicable wages vary dependant upon the nature of work being undertaken, so comparing the factory to the distribution centre is not a reasonable comparison,” he said.

“Although the impact to production is minimal given the small number of workers involved, our offer already tabled in November and March stands and we remain available to continue talks with the union at any time.

“(We) do not envisage any impact on our customer base.”