‘2 per customer’: Buying limits for shoppers

Some stores have begun to feel the effects of the “biggest dairy strike in living memory”, being forced to place purchase limits on products.

Reports have emerged of grocers across Victoria being forced to impose purchase limits on dairy products as supply chains begin to feel the impact of the dairy workers strike.

Milk tank drivers began striking against dairy giant Saputo on Tuesday, while more than 1400 plant workers walked off the job across 14 sites on Wednesday.

The United Workers Union called the industrial action the “biggest dairy strike in living memory” as workers push for better pay and working conditions.

Workers are striking against Saputo, Fonterra, Lactalis and Peters ice cream who they say are refusing to share “booming” profits. Workers are demanding a 5 per cent pay rise.

Premier Jacinta Allan said there was “no need for panic buying of milk” despite the curbs being put in place by some stores.

The Premier stressed the need for workers and employers to work together to end the standoff.

“I’d urge as we do in any dispute for the parties to come to the table and negotiate,” she told a press conference on Thursday. “I believe there has been movement overnight.”

More than 1400 dairy plant workers will strike for a second day on Thursday. Picture: Facebook

One IGA store in Melbourne’s southeast, which sources milk from Lactalis, has been forced to limit purchases of the product to two per customer.

IGA Murrumbeena owner Jackson Meredith said the purchase limits, which were imposed on Wednesday afternoon, would be in place for the “foreseeable future”.

“We just got word that there would be shortages and we noticed a little upsell in milk where it started selling out pretty quick,” he said.

Mr Meredith said he was contacted by Lactalis on Wednesday and the dairy giant was “on-board” with the proposed purchase limits.

“A few people were upset about it, but we’re trying to make it fair for everyone,” he said.

“We just hope it all gets resolved and everyone gets what they want.”

IGA Murrumbeena was forced to impose purchase limits of two milk products per customer on Wednesday afternoon. Picture: Facebook

Woolworths confirmed on Thursday that it was working to minimise the impact of the disruption to its milk supply and availability of home-brand milk could be affected.

While the supermarket giant is not affected by the milk tank driver strike, as it does not source milk from Saputo, it is supplied by Fonterra, one of the processors affected by the ongoing plant worker strike.

“We’re in close contact with our Victorian milk supplier and we’re working on contingency plans to minimise any potential disruption to our customers,” a spokesperson said.

Woolworths said while there could be a reduced supply of Woolworths brand milk, there were no purchase limits in place.

It’s also not expected that supply of other dairy products, such as cheese and butter, will be impacted.

A Coles spokesperson also confirmed on Thursday morning that the supermarket giant was not experiencing any issues with supply and did not have any purchase limits in place.

“We are continuing to work closely with our suppliers to help ensure milk is available to our customers,” they said.

Aldi also confirmed that it does not currently have any purchase limits in place.

Victorians could see a shortage of Woolworths brand milk amid the ongoing strike. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Some farmers across the state have been forced to dump thousands of litres of milk after milk tank drivers, supported by the Transport Workers’ Union, went on strike across Gippsland.

Plant workers have continued their 48-hour strike on Thursday.

“Dairy workers showed good faith and loyalty during the pandemic, accepting a wage freeze to help see companies through tough times,” UWU said in a statement posted to social media.

“Since then, cost of living has soared, as has dairy company profits.

“On top of this, workers’ loads have also drastically increased, as consumers across the country devour much-loved dairy products like Maxibons, Drumsticks and Cheer cheese.”

One UWU member said in an emotional video posted to Facebook that some dairy workers still received Centrelink payments despite working five days a week.

The strikes will end at 6-7am tomorrow when first shifts begin across the Victorian sites.

UWU national secretary Tim Kennedy called for the dairy companies to make a fair offer to workers.

“Dairy workers have had enough of the disrespectful way these companies have been treating them, after workers agreed to low wages to help the companies out during the pandemic,” he said in a statement released on Thursday afternoon.

“After more than six months of negotiations the offers of these companies still fall far below cost of living increases.

“There will now be talks with the major dairy processors to see if they are finally willing to pay dairy workers what they need to keep up with the cost of living in their regional centres.”

Mr Kennedy warned that UWU members had already voted for 24-hour rolling stoppages should the dispute continue.

“From what we have seen from 1400 dairy workers walking off the job on this strike, they will not take it lying down if the bosses try to short-change them.”

Originally published as ‘2 per customer’: Buying limits for shoppers