Is XXXX dispute froth and bubble? Both sides state their case

AMID further industrial strife at Queensland's iconic XXXX brewery, the leaders on both sides state their case in their own words.

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THE dispute between XXXX management and staff will come to a head tonight when workers stage a protest outside Suncorp Stadium at the Broncos v Bulldogs game.

Here, two stakeholders weigh in on the brewer’s future...

Damien Davie, United Voice Queensland co-ordinator:

XXXX is Queensland, and Queensland is XXXX. You can’t have one without the other. The brewery at Milton is an icon on the Brisbane skyline. The familiar smell of frothy vats bubbling away greets passers-by, whether you’re on your way to work, a footy game or a tour of the brewery itself.

For about 140 years now it has been the home to dozens of dedicated brewery technicians. It has been an honour for them to masterfully brew Queensland’s favourite lager.

Many have passed the craft down through generations, continuing a family tradition of working in Milton’s home of XXXX.

But sadly, over recent years, things at Milton have started to change. XXXX was bought out first by New Zealand company Lion and then by Japanese beer giant Kirin.

The company started brewing its “pride of Queensland” in New South Wales and South Australia.

Its ties to Queensland started to loosen, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of devoted locals and workers alike. New management rolled into town and sacked 40 permanent workers over three years.

Over recent years, things at Milton have started to change, prompting unrest among the workers.

This is the same management who oversaw the closure of the Swan Brewery in Perth.

Threats were made to close the Milton brewery if workers didn’t fall into line with the new management’s plans.

That includes bringing in cheaper, casual labour without paying them entitlements. Casual labour that will undermine and replace the permanent, secure jobs at the brewery.

This is a slap in the face, not only to the nearly 100 brewery technicians who work at Milton, but to Queenslanders everywhere. As Queenslanders, we have to do whatever it takes to keep our beer, and our jobs, here.

XXXX means so much to so many Queenslanders, which is why it’s so devastating that all of this is now at stake. We thought Queensland meant more to XXXX. We thought our history mattered. We thought XXXX was loyal to our state and to its workers.

It’s time to put our differences aside and agree on one thing. XXXX must remain an integral part of Queensland’s way of life.

And to do that, we need XXXX to commit in our enterprise agreement to keep the brewery in Milton open; to a secure and dedicated permanent workforce; and to brew XXXX exclusively in Queensland.

Together, we can ensure XXXX stays on home turf, and has a long and proud future in our great state.

Irene Bell, XXXX brewery director:

IN 1878, two brothers, Nicholas and Edward Fitzgerald, built a brewery on the outskirts of a growing town. The first beer was awarded only three Xs, denoting quality, and then in 1924, the beer got its famous fourth X.

This was also the year that Queensland first saw the “Fourex Man” – still a much-loved fixture of the Milton skyline.

XXXX has always backed Queensland, forever supporting the Maroons, and is a long-standing sponsor of the Cowboys, Titans, Broncos, Queensland Cricket and more recently the Brisbane Lions.

We also sponsor the state’s biggest moments, such as the Commonwealth Games in 1982 and 2018.

The 150 of us who make our beers know the important place the brewery holds in Queenslanders’ hearts.

So let me say again: XXXX was born here, it’s brewed here and we’re not going anywhere.

Consumption habits have evolved since 1878. Tastes have diversified, expanding to new beer styles and a broader range of drinks.

We have seen a lot of change. There are lots of new entrants and less predictable production patterns than before.

But despite all this, XXXX remains a much-loved Queensland icon.

Contrary to loud and frequent claims, XXXX is not going anywhere.

We’re proud that our permanent workers are paid almost twice the base rate that employees get at a number of other Queensland manufacturers.

Our team enjoy the flexibility of 35-hour working weeks, generous beer allowances of up to 70 cases a year to share with friends, and the ability to earn bonuses above base salaries.

We have been negotiating with the union since June last year to reach a new agreement which, among other things, clarifies the use of additional Queensland workers at short notice when we need them.

We understand the importance of full-time, secure and stable jobs.

We also need the option to engage part-time or fixed-term workers, as well as third-party labour to flex up our operations or cover leave.

This is about supplementing our permanent workforce, not replacing it, as the union has claimed.

We are proposing clear and specific clauses in the new agreement, which will explain to our permanent workers and the union how this type of labour will be used at Milton.

We are proposing rates of pay that are in line with the rates of our permanent workforce.

These rates are extremely competitive and much higher than many, if not most, other manufacturing sites in Queensland.

It is my hope that we can reach an agreement soon so we can all go back to focusing on what we love – brewing and enjoying Queensland’s favourite beer.