Thousands of unionists and maintenance workers from Carlton and United Breweries have downed tools to protest through the streets of Melbourne after pay talks broke down.
Amid calls for a national boycott of the brewery’s products, a simultaneous protest against the job losses and a new contract was held in Centenary Place in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, near the company’s headquarters.
Protesters held placards that read “CUB – The Bitter Taste of Greed” and chanted: “We won’t drink your filthy beer”.
The protest follows the sacking of 55 Carlton and United Breweries electricians and fitters in June, after pay negotiations disintegrated. Workers were told their contractor was being replaced by Programmed, which unions claim would see their pay cut to just 50 cents above the award.
Police move in on protestors outside #cub HQ in Brisbane. Diners caught off guard. @tennewsqld #CUB55 pic.twitter.com/NNdnIhQkvk
— Jonathan Lea (@JonathanLea10) September 8, 2016
A maintenance worker at the Melbourne rally told the ABC that under the new agreement, workers would earn an average of 65% of their previous pay. He described the brewer’s behaviour as “dishonest”.
However, a CUB spokeswoman told Guardian Australia claims that 55 workers were sacked were false.
“CUB has not employed maintenance workers since 2009 – we changed contract providers earlier this year,” she said.
Easily over 1200 ppl turning out 2 stand up 2 #CUB #fairplaynotfoulplay #taxdodges #labourhiremisuse #55workers #65% pic.twitter.com/R5yUQgvBqx
— Janine Aitken (@JanineAitken) September 8, 2016
“We believe this dispute is about unions wanting to enforce their power over an external company and the wages being offered – the contract roles advertised range between $70,000 and $120,000 before overtime – above award rates.
“Anyone losing their job is not an issue to be taken lightly – that’s why the former contractor and their people were given six months’ notice of the end of the contract and people were paid redundancies by their employer.”
She also criticised some of the behaviour allegedly displayed by union members outside the Brewery’s Abbotsford site in Victoria during protests over the past few months.
SA Unions all pledging to #BoycottCUB send solidarity to #CUB55 @SAUnions pic.twitter.com/Pi5UgGIPTy
— Sally McManus (@sallymcmanus) September 8, 2016
“Bullying, harassment, threats and intimidation have no place in today’s work environment; that approach certainly does not support any efforts in dispute resolution,” she said.
Most workers have refused to sign up to the new contract and have picketed the Abbotsford brewery for about three months.
Huge crowd came out today in solidarity with the #CUB55. pic.twitter.com/yXzZjbK86e
— Meaghan Flack (@meaghan_flack) September 8, 2016
Carlton and United Breweries is a major Australian brewer. Its brands include VB, Cascade, Carlton Draught and Crown Lager.
The protesters want the AFL to pressure Carlton and United Breweries to reinstate the sacked workers, warning there could be a shortage of beer at upcoming finals matches.
A union spokesman said all members had sought leave to attend in support of the 55 fitters and electricians – members of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and the Electrical Trades Union.
Mayoral candidate Phil Cleary calls on footy heroes Judd, boomer Harvey and the AFL to ban CUB from Grand Final at the G. #springst #cub55
— Richard Willingham (@rwillingham) September 8, 2016
AMWU official Rohan Webb called on the brewery to reinstate the 55 workers on their original terms and conditions.
“Until such time as that happens we are calling on every Australian who believes in a decent wage for a fair day’s work to avoid buying any CUB products,” Webb said.
ACTU secretary, Dave Oliver, said the enterprise agreement that sparked the industrial dispute was voted on by just three casuals working in Perth two years ago.
