Pfizer workers walk off job in Mulgrave protesting substandard wages

Pfizer manufacturing workers are taking part in a 24-hour strike action in a dispute over wages.

More than one hundred Pfizer manufacturing workers have walked off the job, protesting the pharmaceutical company’s wages.

The 24-hour ongoing protest at the Mulgrave plant in Victoria began at 10.30pm on Wednesday.

United Workers Union members have disputed pay increases offered by the multinational company, asking for a wage increase in lieu of current and projected inflation percentages.

The US corporation, which reported a record $25 billion ($A39 billion) profit last financial year, had offered a three per cent increase in the first year of the agreement.

United Workers Union members outside Pfizer’s Mulgrave plant striking for better pay, Picture: Supplied

A four per cent raise was proposed in the second year and three per cent in the final year.

While a number of bonuses are also on the table with the offered yearly pay rise, they are subject to a number of conditions, including workers having to pay back the bonus if they resign, or are sacked“due to performance or serious misconduct”.

Members are calling on the company to “roll” the bonuses into their annual increases as an answer.

“Such conditions essentially amounts to a pay cut, with Pfizer reaping huge profits, recording $25bn in gains last financial year,” UWU National Secretary Tim Kennedy said.

“Workers at Pfizer have not made the decision to take strike action lightly – they know that without a day’s wage, things will be tight next week.

“Figures released last week showed inflation soaring well above seven per cent in Melbourne. For the striking workers, the increased cost of rent, the interest rate hikes and grocery bills, it’s really starting to bite,” Mr Kennedy said.

UWU also claimed Pfizer was seeking to alter workers’ shift times in addition to removing the fortnightly rostered day off for new starters. Picture: Kena Betancur / AFP

Mr Kennedy also said workers know Pfizer “can afford to pay them more due to the number of sweeteners” on offer.

“Pfizer bosses need to stop with the money-grubbing and game playing and return with a fair offer for the loyal workers, many of whom have worked at the plant for upwards of 20 years,” he said.

UWU also claimed Pfizer was seeking to alter workers’ shift times in addition to removing the fortnightly rostered day off for new starters.

Pfizer Australia confirmed it had been “aware of the 24-hour industrial action by staff at Pfizer’s Melbourne manufacturing site from 2 November”.

“Pfizer is in active negotiation with the Pharmaceutical Operators (Production and Warehouse) on the Enterprise Agreement (EA) that expired earlier this year in March,” a Pfizer spokesperson said.

“Over the last three years (2020, 2021 and 2022) during the pandemic, Pfizer has provided significant support to manufacturing colleagues, including an essential workers bonus and medical leave for Covid-19.

“Pfizer is working closely with the union to agree on an EA that works for all employees, which offers fair and reasonable terms for wages and allowances, and addresses the increased cost of living from a rise in inflation,” the spokesperson said.

The multinational company also reiterated the importance of noting “that wages for the company’s Melbourne manufacturing employees are between 18 and 30 per cent higher than the market median”.

A merit increase is being offered by Pfizer to Melbourne manufacturing employees, including an average increase of 9.2 per cent in 2022, a flexibility buyout payment and salary continuance insurance.

The latest pay increase being offered is in addition to a Covid-19 bonus payment since 2020 for permanent and fixed term contract employees.

The walk-off follows a strike at the company’s Perth manufacturing plant in August, where the pharmaceutical giant offered its employees a five per cent pay rise in 2022, followed by four per cent and three per cent increases over the following two years.

Pfizer and the union were at odds over demands of a combined 18 per cent increase over the same period, along with redundancy payments as Pfizer prepares to shut the Bentley plant in 2024.

Originally published as Pfizer workers walk off job in Mulgrave protesting substandard wages