AFL 2024: A strike that could impact production of Sherrin footballs is now unlikely to go ahead
Each week at a factory in Keysborough, workers make more than 200 footballs used in top level games. There was talk they were about to walk off the job – but, as JOSH BARNES reports, the threat is easing.
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A strike that could impact production of Sherrin footballs in the lead in to the AFL finals series is now unlikely to go ahead, as talks between the union and the owners of the iconic football make up ground.
A ballot has been sent out to union members at a Keysborough factory to vote on strike action, with the 15 workers asking Sherrin owner Russell Corp for a five per cent pay rise, instead of the four per cent offered by Russell Corp.
The ballot called for workers to vote on a series of strike options, including “unlimited bans” on stitching together match balls used in AFL and AFLW.
But negotiations picked up on Thursday night.
The Herald Sun understands an offer was tabled of a 4.5 per cent pay rise.
A further meeting took place on Friday and the United Workers Union, representing the Sherrin stitchers, was confident that strike action was now unlikely.
Workers still planned to hand out flyers at the MCG before Friday night’s blockbuster between Collingwood and Essendon in a bid to win over more public support.
United Workers Union executive director Godfrey Moase said workers would appeal to footy fans by handing out the flyers.
“Everyone knows there’s a lot of money in this industry and it shouldn’t just go to highly paid executives and managers,” he said.
“The ordinary workers who help make footy what it is should get their share … they’re seeking the support of the footballing public in their struggle for a cost of living pay rise.”
The Keysborough factory produces all gameday balls used at the top level in the AFL and AFLW, with the balls handstitched.
Other strike options floated in the ballot were work stoppages ranging from one hour to indefinite walk offs.
The ballot was sent to workers on July 1, with an end-date for voting on August 12.
The gap in pay between the two parties of a four per cent pay rise compared to five per cent sat at about $45,000 a year.
Each week, the workers make more than 200 footballs to be used in games and a stoppage could have the potential to impact finals in September and the AFLW season, which kicks off on August 30.
Russell Corp was contacted for comment.
The Keysborough factory opened in 2012, with the Sherrin website boasting it continued a method pioneered by founder Tom William Sherrin in the 19th century.
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