UWU strike: Dairy Farmers Victoria call for Agriculture Minister Ros Spence to intervene

Ros Spence is keeping out of the dairy dispute despite calls for the new Agriculture Minister to intervene as a peacemaker.

Ros Spence is keeping out of the dairy factory strike, despite calls from farmers for the new Victorian Agriculture Minister to act as a peacemaker.

Dairy Farmers of Victoria president Mark Billing said Ms Spence had the opportunity to get both processors and unions talking to one another, with little sign of a deal to end the dual-pronged industrial action.

He said the risk of en masse milk dumping increased by the hour.

“I know the minister is new to the job but she has an ability to intervene here and get both sides talking. We need a deal. Every hour that passes, the problem grows,” Mr Billing said.

“I know of farmers that have already dumped milk. Some farms have greater capacity, so today may not be a problem but tomorrow will be.”

However, a spokesman for the Minister declined to be drawn on Mr Billing’s appeal.

“The industrial action is a matter for Victorian dairy producers,” the spokesman said.

“We encourage the dairy industry and United Workers Union to settle the negotiations as soon as possible to limit disruption.”

Earlier this month, the Kalkallo MP was sworn in as Victoria’s new agriculture minister, the fifth person to hold the position in less than a decade.

The 52-year-old minister replaces Gayle Tierney, who retains the regional development portfolio in Premier Jacinta Allan’s first cabinet.

Ros Spence was sworn in as the new Minister for Agriculture earlier this month. Picture: David Crosling

“We’ve written to the minister. She has a union background, so knows the importance of negotiation and she can play a critical role in this negotiation process,” Mr Billing said.

“Dairy farmers are the third party in the dispute but it is having a direct logistical impact, (and) the environmental impact of having to dump milk.”

More than 1000 UWU members across 13 different dairy sites went on strike this morning, 24 hours after Saputo tanker drivers also took industrial action in Gippsland.

The factory workers are employed by four different processors: Saputo, Fonterra, Lactalis and Peters Ice Cream.

Australian Dairy Farmers president Rick Gladigau said a protracted strike would hurt the entire dairy supply chain.

“Cows don’t stop producing milk just because there’s a strike, they need to be milked,” Mr Gladigau said.

“Those farmers who have no option but to dump milk may not be paid for their hard work.”

“A protracted dispute also increases the likelihood of more overseas dairy imports to Australia, and ultimately risks further processor closures and, ultimately, job losses in regional communities.”