Saputo workers continue fight for pay parity despite MP branding union ‘thugs’

Saputo Dairy workers have taken their pay parity campaign to the state’s South on Thursday, calling on shoppers to boycott certain dairy brands. Find out why.

Striking Saputo Dairy Australia workers from Burnie have vowed to continue their fight for pay parity as they took their company boycott and strike action to southern Tasmania on Thursday.

Tim Butler joined 23 other Saputo workers at the Coles New Town and Woolworths Sandy Bay stores as part of a campaign with the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ and Communications, Electrical and Plumbing (CEPU) Unions to call on the public to boycott Saputo brands such as Devondale and Mersey Valley.

Saputo dairy workers Darren Turner, Tim Butler and AMWU, CFMEU, CEPU, Unions Tasmania, SDA, HACSU at Coles New Town. Picture: Chris Kidd

“It’s not right what they’re doing, they haven’t moved in negotiations at all,” he said.

“We have no other option but to continue our fight and take it around the state.”

This is the fifth week of total strike action for the Burnie Saputo maintenance workers who have been seeking equal pay to interstate workers since August.

The CEPU states that Tasmanian employees are earning 23.5 per cent less than mainland workers doing the same job.

CEPU Tasmania secretary Michael Anderson said negotiations had gone “absolutely nowhere” while alleging the Burnie Factory remains idle and that coolrooms are running empty.

“The company two weeks ago made a low-ball offer worse than their previous offer, designed to try and break the spirits of the workers and it hasn’t worked,” he said.

Thursday’s campaign follows a successful Victorian protest last week by a small Tasmanian contingent of workers, with support from major unions like the Electrical Trades Union.

Saputo dairy workers and AMWU, CFMEU, CEPU, Unions Tasmania, SDA, HACSU at Coles New Town. Picture: Chris Kidd

AMWU Tasmania organiser Michael Wickham said fundraising from last week’s protest and community support would enable “highly skilled” workers to continue the dispute into the “foreseeable future”.

“They really missed the mark this company in how determined these blokes are about being paid what they are entitled to,” he said.

“The Burnie site is more technical – our labour force is more skilled than the five sites we’re looking for a parity to in Victoria.

“These guys have saved thousands for the company with changes they’ve made for equipment just to be knocked back to say you’re not equal or the same is an absolute insult.”

Last week Federal Braddon MP Gavin Pearce also spoke out on the union and workers’ boycott campaign, labelling it a “stunt” by “union thugs”.

Both Mr Anderson and Mr Wickham called his response “tone deaf”.

AMWU State Organiser Mike Wickham and CEPU State Secretary Mick Anderson at Coles New Town. Picture: Chris Kidd

“By him calling unions ‘thugs’, unions are made up of workers in his electorate, and he’s effectively sided with big business instead of his constituents,” he said.

“This is him showing his lack of care or knowledge about the reality of industrial relations to say ‘people should keep this behind closed doors’ … if you’ve got a better idea about how this injustice gets fixed, how about you come in and meet with the workers.”

Saputo Dairy Australia’s Operations and Supply Chain Director Gerard Lourey said its Burnie factory is operating as normal with no impact on product ranges.

“SDA is of the opinion that the union’s media release contains mischaracterisations and incorrect information,” he said.

“Our bargaining team met with the union on Friday, June 28 and put forward a fair offer.

“Our intention is to resolve outstanding items with union representatives in a swift and amicable manner.”

Gavin Pearce was contacted for comment.